Breastfeeding education and advocacy group LATCH-Los Baños was recognized as the 2020 Outstanding Mother Support Group in CALABARZON at the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony led by the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-CALABARZON. The event was conducted virtually on December 10, 2020, in partnership with the Communicators’ Network for Nutrition (CNN) Region IV-A.
Armi Anastacio Baticados of LATCH LB receives the 2020 Outstanding Mother Support Group in CALABARZON Award from the NNC
According to the citation read by program host and Quezon Provincial Information Officer Maria Janet Janablazo, LATCH-LB was commended for its “selfless efforts in assisting struggling mothers during the recent disasters in the region, especially during the Taal Volcano eruption and COVID-19 pandemic. Through their activities, the organization ensured that breastfeeding must be promoted, protected, and supported, whenever and anywhere.” Throughout the disasters, LATCH LB provided lactation education and mother-to-mother breastfeeding help through one-on-one and webinar breastfeeding counselling sessions, breastfeeding preparation class, breastfeeding counseling, and donor breastmilk sharing, the citation said.
In a video message, LATCH-LB volunteers, led by coordinator Armi Anastacio Baticados, thanked the NNC for recognizing their work, and for implementing programs to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. “Breastfed babies kept close to their moms are the most food-secure in times of emergencies. May krisis man o wala, ang pagpapasuso ang pinakamabisang proteksyon na maibibigay natin sa ating mga anak laban sa sakit at gutom,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Nutrition Office of Los Baños was recognized as second runner-up for 2020 Best Municipal Social Media Account for Nutrition. The award was received by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Madeleine Alforja and Mayor Antonio Kalaw.
This year’s Regional Nutrition Awardees for CALABARZON include:
Regional Webby Awards (2020 Best Social Media Accounts for Nutrition in the Region)
- Cavite Province (Provincial Category)
- Bacoor City, Cavite (City Category)
- Kalayaan, Laguna (Champion, Municipal Category)
- Magdalena, Laguna (1st runner up, Municipal Category)
- Los Baños, Laguna (2nd runner up, Municipal Category)
- Department of Science and Technology- CALABARZON (Regional Line Agency Category)
2020 Outstanding Nutrition Response During the Taal Volcano Eruption
- Bacoor City (LGU Category, City Level)
- Calaca, Batangas (LGU Category, Municipal Level)
- Department of Health-CALABARZON (Regional Line Agency Category)
2020 Nutrition Champion Award for COVID-19 Response
- Binan City, Laguna (LGU Category, City level)
- Sariaya, Quezon (LGU Category, Municipal Level)
- Department of Health-CALABARZON (Regional Line Agency Category)
Nutrition Hero Award for COVID-19 response
- Angeles P, Penalba, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, Cavite
- Aleli Catalina Y. Jimenez, City Nutrition Action Officer, Calamba City
- Marietta DG. Dogelio, City Nutrition Program Coordinator, Tagaytay City
- Cecile Flores-Magana, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Kalayaan, Laguna
- Donabel Lazo, Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Brgy. Mendez, Tagaytay City
2020 Outstanding Mother Support Group in the Region: LATCH Los Baños
Best external article contributor award: Radyo Kaisahan 107.7FM, Sariaya, Quezon
Best practices in nutrition in emergencies: Calaca, Batangas
Special recognition: Dr. Eduardo Janairo, the former Chair of the Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition
Certificate of Appreciation: Unilever Philippines, Breastfeeding Ala Eh, and National University.
The NNC also gave recognition to its Regional Nutrition Cluster member agencies, and “Top Fans” of the NNC CALABARZON Facebook Page, while service Awards were given to nutrition action officers who retired from 2018 to 2020.
According to Carina Z. Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC CALABARZON, the event focused on addressing challenging real-life situations and highlighting the degree of responsiveness during emergency situations. Because of the pandemic, the NNC was unable to conduct its annual Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELPI) this year. Instead, the Council decided to honor outstanding performers in nutrition in emergencies, including local government units, organizations and individuals who contributed to the improvement of nutrition during the Taal Volcano eruption and COVID-19 pandemic.