Mandaue cited as one of top performers
Mandaue City has been recognised as a national leader in nutrition after winning the prestigious National Nutrition CROWN Award. The honour was presented during the 2025 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at the Manila Hotel. This achievement comes just two months after the city also secured a regional CROWN Award.
The award highlights Mandaue’s outstanding nutrition and health programmes, which include **Operation Timbang** and targeted interventions at the barangay level. Among all cities in **Central Visayas**, Mandaue was the only one to receive this national distinction.
The city’s success followed a rigorous evaluation by both the National Nutrition Council and regional nutrition bodies. Mandaue ranked eighth nationwide and first in Region 7, proving its commitment to improving public health through structured, community-driven efforts.
Key programmes, such as **Operation Timbang**, were carried out in close coordination with the **Department of Education** and **Barangay Nutrition Councils**. Instead of top-down approaches, the city focused on **sustained, household-level interventions**, ensuring nutrition support reached families directly in their neighbourhoods. The **Mandaue City Nutrition Office**, **City Health Office**, nutritionists, **barangay health workers (BHWs)**, **barangay nutrition scholar workers (BNHWs)**, and local officials all played crucial roles in implementing these initiatives. Their combined efforts earned the city not only national recognition but also a **₱500,000 grant** to further expand its programmes. Notably, **Dumanjug, Cebu**, was also acknowledged in the regional awards, but Mandaue stood out as the sole city in Central Visayas to claim a **national-level CROWN Award** this year.
The award confirms Mandaue City’s position as a model for effective, community-based nutrition programmes. With the ₱500,000 grant, local authorities plan to strengthen existing initiatives and extend support to more households. The recognition also sets a benchmark for other cities aiming to improve public health through grassroots interventions.
