I felt pure joy as I wave my goodbyes to the Barangay Nutrition Scholars as some started leaving the hotel where we had the five-day training from March 13-17, 2017.  Majority of these BNS are from the far-flung municipalities of Apayao and Abra but there were also participants from Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province including Baguio City. Thanks to the LGUs who shouldered their travelling expenses. These BNSs are barangay-based volunteers who contribute a lot to the improvement of the barangay nutrition situation and to the achievement of other health goals.

The five-day training aimed to develop the capacities of newly hired BNSs to serve their respective barangays better. It is a combination of interactive discussions, lectures, workshops, games, sharing of experiences and visit to one of the model Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) of Baguio City which is Barangay Lower Quirino Hill. Sharing of experiences and actual practices were one of the highlights of the training since resource persons/facilitators for the training were the Regional Outstanding BNSs (ROBNSs) in the region including Ms. Magdalena Sacpa (2011, 2014, 2015 ROBNS), Ms. Monica Sicat (2012 ROBNS), Ms. Imelda Dagupon (2016 ROBNS) and Ms. Love-in Lagat (2014 Finalist, ROBNS). Who else would speak the best than the people who have been there.