Bontoc, Mt. Province - CordiBNS Federation Inc. in partnership with NNC-CAR conducted a BNS Program Orientation and organizational meeting on the 24th of June 2021.
A total of 29 BNSes from 8 municipalities of the province attended the activity. The activity aimed to strengthen the implementation of nutrition programs and projects at the barangay level, clarify issues and queries on the various aspects of the BNS program, promote unity and linkages among BNS thru the CordiBNS Federation Inc. and introduce activities of the CordiBNS Federation.
Among the provinces in the region, Mountain Province is yet to organize Provincial Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars. This is due to the current set-up of that the Barangay Health Workers are at the same time designated as the Barangay Nutrition Scholars. Only 3 municipalities in Mt. Province has separate BNS from BHWs.
Through Ms. Mary Dianne Monte, District Nutrition Program Coordinator of the province, it was agreed that the 7 municipalities with no organized BNS association will create municipal association as a step in the creation of provincial federation.
Ms. Geraldine Cayat, president of the regional federation of BNS said that to uphold and protect the rights and responsibilities of the BNSs, there is a need to organize a municipal/provincial association/federation. Furthermore, Ms. Noemi Garcia, CordiBNS Federation secretary and president of the Association of BNS in Baguio City shared that their association has been a venue for economic and social upliftment of the BNS.
The Survivorship Assistance Fund (SAF) Project of the CordiBNS Federation Inc. was also discussed in the activity. The participants also witnessed the turnover of the 5,000 cash SAF assistance to one of the eligible BNS beneficiary in Paracelis, Mt. Province received by Ms. Lanilla Tallongan.
Other topics discussed in the activity include the BNS Program, BNS Medical and Financial Assistance and NNC-CAR Updates.
NNC-CAR staff: Ms. Bella Basalong, NO III; Ms. Velanie Dao-ines, NO II; Ms. Perlyne Martin, NO II and CordiBNS Federation Officers: Ms. Geraldine Cayat, president; Ms. Noemi Garcia, secretary; Ms. Russel Lagman, board member were among the speakers and facilitators in the activity.
VMD/BMB/RDP
