GINGOOG city, Misamis Occidental province and Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon emerged as the top winners in the regional green banner awards of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) yesterday. Gingoog won the award in the city category; Misamis Occidental in the provincial category, and Manolo Fortich in the municipal category. The awards were given during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at Grand Caprice, Limketkai Center. Manolo Fortich also bagged another award--the “provincial green banner award”--along with Guinsiliban in Camiguin, Tudela in Misamis Occidental. Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, Department of Health director for northern Mindanao and concurrent Regional Nutrition Committee chairperson, said the awards were given in order to recognize the efforts of nutrition workers and local governments to bring the nutrition program and advocacy down to the barangay levels. Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, who represented Mayor Oscar Moreno, said he has seen the importance of strengthening the nutrition program even when he was still the barangay chairman of Nazareth. “Kon walay maayong nutrition, unhealthy usab ang atong labor force,” said Nacaya, pointing out the need for local governments to provide enough budget for nutrition. (nitz arancon)