
The Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation marked its 14th year this week by honoring seven persons and entities who have helped in implementing its programs to lift young children out of stunting and malnutrition.
“We sent them our recognition in the form of plaques with woven cubes made from #Mingo wraps which were crafted by our partner women of the Blastik Project at PeacePond”, Millie Kilayko, NVC president and chief executive officer, said.
Mingo is NVC’s nutritious instant complementary food made of rice, mongo (mung beans), and malunggay (moringa). The foundation has served more than 25 million Mingo meals in 60 provinces as of July 31, 2024, Kilayko said.
The NVC plaques of recognition were given to three partner LGU’s with whom they have worked closely and developed a relationship that best exemplifies what they can showcase as a model partnership, Kilayko said.

The three LGUs are the Iloilo Provincial Government (provincial category), Victorias City, Negros Occidental,(city) and Lemery, Iloilo (municipality).
A Dreamcatcher award was given to their partner Sun Life Foundation “who caught our intensive 2nd level protocol on nutrition for young children when it was still but a dream inspired by countries like Peru which successfully combatted stunting and malnutrition,” Kilayko said.
Sun Life Foundation fueled its successful pilot implementation, she said.
NVC also sent its Best Nutrition Advocate citation to Dr. Cielito F. Habito whose intense interest, extensive research and passionate advocacy on stunting and malnutrition aids NVC’s directions and inspires them to carry on, Kilayko said.
They also named two Bridge Builders – the Management Association of the Philippines (organization category) and Sen, Franklin Drilon (individual) – who have linked link NVC “with entities than can help improve our protocols or serve a wider reach”, she added.*