E.B.

Magalona shares best practices in nutrition program with DSB

After winning the Green Banner Seal of Compliance regional award for its nutrition program last month,
the Municipality of E. B. Magalona has been chosen by the National Nutrition Council (NNC)- Regional
Office 6 to share its best practices in nutrition program with the Municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto
(DSB) during a project visit on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

At Isla Madalag Eco-Haven, where the E. B. Magalona Municipal Nutrition Council shared its best
practices in nutrition program with Don Salvador Benedicto under the Regional Nutrition Shepherding and
Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized Nutrition (LHEARN) of the National Nutrition Council

This year, E. B. Magalona was one of only two municipalities in Negros Occidental that won the GBSC,
which was given to local government units (LGUs) in recognition of their sustainable intervention
programs to combat and eradicate malnutrition, especially among children.

Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, representing Mayor Marvin Malacon, welcomed the guests and participants

The EBM Municipal Nutrition Council (MNC), chaired by Mayor Marvin Malacon, who was represented by
Vice Mayor Eric Matulac at the program, welcomed the DSB MNC, chaired by Mayor Lawrence Marxlen
Dela Cruz, during the Regional Nutrition Shepherding and Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized
Nutrition (LHEARN) Project Visit.

Mayor Lawrence Marxlen Dela Cruz

Joining Matulac in welcoming the DSB and MNC officials were Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Members Gilda
Parcon, Wyndel Depasucat, Jovie Madayag, Gelita Parcon, Reylan Gamboa Sr., and Joey Pugales,
Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edmundo Janeo Jr., also the action officer of the MNC; and MENRO-
designate Jojo Vargas.

EBM Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edmundo Janeo Jr., also the action officer of the MNC

Fifteen officers of the DSB MNC attended the project visit, including Mayor Lawrence Marxlen Dela Cruz,
SB Member Henry Alcorin, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Jade
Maurin, and MHO Nurse Ma. Fe Lariosa.
MENRO-designate Jojo Vargas

The NNC Region-6 Team was led by Regional Nutrition Program coordinator Reginaldo Guillen, while the
NNC-Provincial Nutrition Team was led by Provincial Nutrition Program coordinator Glonie Suasin.

In Barangay Batea

In the morning, Matulac welcomed the guests, Dela Cruz delivered an inspirational message, while Janeo
presented the nutrition program of E. B. Magalona. It was followed by an open forum and sharing of
ideas.

The activities were held at the Isla Madalag Eco-Haven in Barangay Madalag in the morning, and in
Barangay Batea in the afternoon.
At the EBM Municipal Nutrition Council office where the NNC RO6 presented the EBM MNC with a
certificate of appreciation for hosting the Regional Nutrition Shepherding and Learning Hub for Enhanced
and Revitalized Nutrition (LHEARN) Project Visit.

In the afternoon, guests visited two sites: Barangay Batea, the best performing barangay of E. B.
Magalona in terms of nutrition program, and the Municipal Nutrition Council office in the town proper.

It can be recalled that Sally Jalbuena, a barangay nutrition scholar (BNS) of Barangay Batea, was also
recognized as an Outstanding Provincial BNS, during the same regional awarding ceremony in Iloilo City
last month. She was earlier chosen as Outstanding Municipal BNS of E. B. Magalona.*
The kilometer-long mangrove eco-trail in Brgy. Tomongtong, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, is
becoming famous because of the social media and endorsement of celebrities, among others.

Neophyte movie action star Javi Benitez, who marked his 25th birthday yesterday, and actress Sue
Ramirez, led hundreds of youth volunteers and environmental advocates, who planted mangrove
propagules at the vicinity of the 10-hectare eco-trail.

EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said yesterday that the mangrove eco-trail project, that was started
in June this year, is full of visitors, especially during the weekend, who came not only to taste the blue
crabs and other seafoods, but to learn how the mangrove area is being preserved.

The mangrove eco-trail is a makeshift bridge made of bamboo, covered with a vast array of mangroves,
as high as 20 feet. The bridge extends toward the shoreline and has a makeshift bamboo tower where
visitors can have a top view of the mangrove plantation and fishponds.

Javi, son of former Rep. Alfredo Benitez, said yesterday that he decided to spend his 25th birthday by
planting mangroves, in an effort to rally the youth to preserve the environment.

“The effect of what we did, will not end today. Many will be benefitted in the future of what we did today,”
Benitez, who was welcomed by EB Magalona officials, led by Malacon, and Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen
Paduano, said.

In 2013, mangroves that were planted more than two decades ago, saved from destruction many houses
and prevented loss of lives in Brgy. Tomongtong, EB Magalona, when super typhoon Yolanda hit.

Malacon said they have started to invest in facilities for the area, with a restaurant now ready to serve
eco-trail visitors, and small stores also sprouted there, that also generated additional income for residents
of the barangay.

The management of the Tomongtong mangrove eco-trail has already been turned over by the municipal
government to a women’s organization in the barangay.

Malacon said the management earned as much as P15,000 a day, especially during weekends, with P10
as entrance fee.

Paduano and Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), also committed to further improve the
view deck area, coastal area protection, and livelihood programs for barangay residents.
The mangroves, serving as marine life sanctuary and a breeding ground, were planted as early as 1991
and the forest has now expanded to reach 20 hectares.

Brgy. Tomongtong is also home to migratory birds and wild ducks, with the mangroves serving as their
refuge area and also protected the coastline against tides and storms.

Malacon said they are planning to put up a 25-hectare conservation area for blue crabs, and affected
residents will be provided with sources of livelihood, through the help of Reps. Benitez and Paduano.*

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