Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos is flanked by former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Health Asec. Nemesio Gako after receiving the 1st Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Maintenance Award during the recently-concluded awarding of the National Nutrition Council at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The city was cited particularly for its sustained promotion of breastfeeding for infants and young children; the Mandaluyong Medical Center - Maternity and Children Section that offers free prenatal check-ups and lactation management sessions, as well as counselling to pregnant or nursing mothers; and the Manpower and Development Center that offers free skills/livelihood trainings to underprivileged families.
The city’s Nutrition Committee, headed by Nutrition Action Officer Menchie Abalos, also has significantly reduced underweight prevalence among school and preschool children in the last three years.