The National Nutrition Council-NCR conducted a six-day live-in Training of Trainers on the Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars on 8-13 September 2014 at the Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort in Tanza, Cavite. The training aims to capacitate its participants with facilitation and mentoring techniques along with other relevant knowledge and skills that will enable them to become competent trainers of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars. The BNSs are community nutrition workers who deliver basic nutrition and nutrition-related services to families particularly those with malnourished children.

The new batch of BNS Trainers are expected to conduct a basic course training for BNSs in their respective localities to help their BNSs gain common basic knowledge and skills as well as core values and traits that are necessary to enable them to perform their roles and functions efficiently and effectively.

The training covered six (6) modules that enabled the participants to explain the legal mandate and rationale of the BNS program; discuss the basic concepts of food and nutrition; demonstrate the skills needed in performing the roles and tasks of BNSs; describe the nutrition program management at the barangay level and in the context of local development system; illustrate the numerous roles and responsibilities of BNSs in the context of the nutrition program management at the barangay level; and implement training on the basic course for BNSs.

Thirty (30) participants composed of City Nutrition Program Coordinators (CNPCs) and selected Barangay Nutrition Scholars attended and completed the training. NCR Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo was joined by local nutrition program coordinators in conducting the training namely, Ms. Ma. Ana C. Ordenes of Muntinlupa City, Ms. Maria Teresa G. Abando of Caloocan City and Ms. Marie Tess C. Belo of Mandaluyong City who acted as facilitators/resource persons.

(PJMA/MEVF/NNCNCR)