The National Nutrition Council-NCR conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) on September 9-13, 2013 at Tagaytay Country Hotel in Tagaytay City. Thirty (30) participants from the 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila composed of nutrition program coordinators, medical nutrition program coordinator, nurse supervisors, midwives and selected Barangay Nutrition Scholars attended the one-week training. The training used a modular strategy developed by the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food (IHNF) of the College of Human Ecology of the University of the Philippines Los Baños for the National Nutrition Council.

The training aimed at increasing the number of BNS Trainers in the region who will train new BNSs and re-train existing BNSs for their continuing education. The new set of trainers are expected to train BNSs to enable them to acquire common basic knowledge, skills and core values and traits that are necessary for them to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively. They are also expected to advocate for support to the Barangay Nutrition Program particularly the hiring, retention and deployment of BNSs.

Speakers and facilitators of the training were city nutrition program coordinators who have been trained by IHNF-UPLB namely, Ms. Marie Tess C. Belo (Mandaluyong City), Ms. Elizabeth A. Angat (Pasay City), and Ms. Eden A. Azarcon (San Juan City) together with Nutrition Officer III Emerenciana L. Francia of NNC-NCR. Secretariat support was provided by Nutrition Officer I Princess Jean M. Algones.

The NNC-NCR is optimistic that the said ToT will bring about improvement in the Barangay Nutrition Program, specifically in the delivery of nutrition services in the community by competent BNSs.