ASIPULO, Ifugao – Twelve Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in the province were among those honored by the National Nutrition Council for their long years of service during the 3rd National Conference for BNS Northern Luzon Cluster in Vigan, Ilocos Sur recently.

Provincial Nutrition Program Coordinator Corazon Dawong said the awardees spent 30 to 36 years in the service delivering nutrition services and other related activities in the barangays.

Among the provinces in the Cordillera, Ifugao has the highest BNS Awardees. “Every year, the province is producing outstanding BNS”, Dawong said.

Aside from a plaque, awardees received a cash incentive of 12,000 for 30 years in service and P400 for every additional year of service. Ifugao has registered a total of 191 BNS province-wide.

The giving of long-service award is in recognition of the invaluable contribution of BNS in implementing the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition. It also aims to encourage continuous and dedicated service among BNS.

The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition is the country’s response to malnutrition. As a component of the 2011 – 2016 Philippine Development Plan, the Action plan provides the frame work for improving the nutritional status of Filipinos.

The action plan is anchored on the Millennium Development Goals, particularly those related to nutrition nutrition that targets halving the 1990 levels of underweight among under-fives and households with inadequate energy intake.

The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition takes off from the nutrition situation as determined by the 2008 national nutrition survey. Challenges that should be addressed are hunger, child undernutrition, deficiencies in iron, iodine and vitamin A, obesity, and overweight. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon