Around 900 barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs) from the National Capital Region and South Luzon cluster met on Aug. 30 and 31 in Baguio for their biennial national conference to renew their commitment to end malnutrition in their respective barangays.

As community-based volunteers, BNSs bridge the gap between families and service providers to deliver nutrition and related services. The BNSs are members of the LuzViMin BNS Federation composed of more than 44,000 BNSs nationwide.

With the theme, “PPAN para sa bayan, nutrisyon at serbisyo,” the conference underscores the significant role of the BNSs in the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022 as the country’s framework of action for nutrition improvement. The PPAN was launched in Iloilo City last May.

The BNSs pledged to defeat malnutrition through convergence and good practices for nutrition advancement, and reaffirm the vision for a malnutrition-free Philippines. 

In the conference, the BNSs were briefed on their task to implement the PPAN, including identifying and referring children with acute malnutrition, who if not immediately treated may die; and monitoring their growth towards recovery. They will also enable other mother volunteers to provide peer counselling to mothers on infant and young child feeding practices.

Aside from service delivery, BNSs will advocate for increased support for nutrition programs in their cities and municipalities. – Hanna C. Lacsamana, Baguio Midland Courier