NOEMI M. GARCIA

Ms. Noemi M. Garcia of Alfonso Tabora, Baguio City was awarded as Regional Outstanding BNS during the virtual 2021 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on October 21, 2021.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” –Steve Jobs

Noemi Garcia is described as a cheerful Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) by her colleagues in Baguio City. A high school graduate and was encouraged by her aunt to become a BNS, Noemi has been serving the barangay for 13 years now. Noemi first served as a BNS at Barangay Teodora Alonzo, Baguio City for five years, and was designated as a BNS in January 2016 at Barangay Alfonso Tabora and at the same time appointed as the Barangay Nutrition Action Officer (BNAO).  BNS Noemi dedicated herself on the implementation of health and nutrition programs and activities to their constituents.

In 2019, with her dedication and commitment, she was able to improve the nutritional status of the two identified malnourished children in the barangay; one was not able to improve due to medical conditions. She conducted a case analysis through regular visits and interviews to identify the underlying causes of the problem. Sometimes, BNS Garcia also volunteers to accompany the child to the health center to avail services on behalf of the parents who at times cannot attend to their child.

One of the major underlying causes identified was the “lack of knowledge” on the importance of proper nutrition among parents/caregivers. With this, together with the BNC, they initiated an       intensified conduct of Pabasa sa Nutrition, from one household to another, Purok by Purok, from morning to afternoon to ensure completion of sessions. BNS Garcia and the BNC committed      themselves to reaching the parents and caregivers of the children and as a result, the parents were able to learn the importance of proper nutrition. She has made it her mission to make sure that mothers in her community know how to take care of their children.

Aside from the conduct of Pabasa, the BNC, through the initiative of BNS Garcia, established a sustainable resource generation project through a series of activities. They started with a Food for a Cause Project funded by Ms. Soledad Go. The project is a conduct of livelihood training on food    production wherein the proceeds of the sold products were used to provide additional source of fund for the purchase of multivitamins for children, purchase of iodized salt and added fund for the     feeding program of the barangay. 50% of the iodized salt were decided by the BNC to sell for an added fund which were saved in the “Barangay Piggy Bank.” Some of their clients also voluntarily donate to the  piggy bank. The Piggy Bank was the BNC’s buffer fund for the procurement of additional multivitamins for children.

Compassionate that she is, BNS Garcia shares her knowledge not only to her barangay but also to her co-volunteers. As the Baguio BNS Association President, she makes it a point to impart knowledge that she has acquired from technical inputs she gained in provincial and regional gatherings during their monthly meetings. BNS Garcia loves rendering her services and she feels satisfaction and fulfillment in helping other people.

Congratulations, Ms. Noemi Garcia for being Cordillera's Best BNS!