Baguio City-- The BNS Training and Refresher Course of the Baguio City Nutrition Committee (BCNC) was successfully held on April 12, 2013 at GSP Ating Tahanan, South Drive, Baguio City. The event was graced by Hon. Erdolfo Balajadia, in behalf of the City Mayor, Hon. Mauricio Domogan. It was attended by 150 Barangay Nutrition Action Officers (BNAOs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), City and District Nutrition Program Coordinators (C & DNPCs) and BCNC members.

During the lecture, the topics were focused on the: 1) programs/activities of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for the solo parents; 2) Updates on the Revised Alternative Learning System (ALS) by the DepED, wherein the partnership of the barangays implementers with the DepED was requested to have more educated citizens; and 3) 2012 Revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos by the NNC-CAR.

As part of the update, the 2013 Nutrition Month Theme “Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan!” was discussed by NO II Wendy Mana-a. She shared that the said theme aims to increase awareness on hunger issues and actions that need to be done to mitigate hunger; to encourage government agencies, non-government organizations, private sector, civil society organizations, and communities to contribute to addressing hunger issues; and to advocate for stronger political action to end hunger. She also requested the participants to start planning for their month long celebration focusing on this year’s theme.

The Refresher Course is organized annually by the Baguio Health Services Office thru the Nutrition Office which aims to update the BNSs on nutrition and other programs/activities that would inculcate and guide them in their respective barangays. Partners from the Government Agencies (GAs), Non-Government Organizations and the civil society were usually invited to share series of lectures. A short business meeting with the BNSs also follows after the lectures.