By Rachel Magday
CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, Philippines —Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anthony F. Cortez and District Nutrition Program Coordinator Shameel Alena May Baysa received top honors at the 2026 Cagayan Valley Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held on November 12.
Cortez was named the region’s Outstanding Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, while Baysa, a district nutrition program coordinator with the Provincial Nutrition Division, was recognized as Regional Outstanding Nutrition Program Coordinator.
Lylanie Jacinto of Barangay Poblacion in Villaverde was named Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar.
The awards were presented at The Capital Arena here at a ceremony spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council Region 2, headed by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Rommel Teofilo F. Aguilar.
Thirteen municipalities in Nueva Vizcaya were also recognized with Nutrition Green Banner awards. Dupax del Sur and Aritao had previously received the Nutrition Honor Award—the highest distinction in nutrition—after each earned the Green Banner Award three times. Nueva Vizcaya has attained Hall of Fame status for the Nutrition Honor Award in 2016.
Among those who attended the ceremony were Provincial Nutrition Program Coordinator Luzviminda P. Ragpa, Board Member Ranee Dawn V. Algura and mayors from various municipalities in the province.
In his acceptance speech, Cortez thanked Gov. Jose V. Gambito and other provincial officials for supporting nutrition programs.
“I accept this award with heartfelt gratitude to our Governor Jose V. Gambito for his leadership and steadfast support in advancing nutrition and public service in our province,” he said.
Cortez described the recognition as both an honor and a call to continue serving children, mothers and families.
“Across our region, there are still children who need proper nourishment, mothers who need support, and families who deserve access to the services that help them thrive,” he said. “We must keep working—not only to improve our results, but to ensure that no community is left behind.”
Gov. Jose V. Gambito congratulated the awardees, saying their honors reflect Nueva Vizcaya’s shared commitment to better nutrition and healthier communities.
