Every barangay in the country is expected to have at least one Barangay Nutrition Scholar or BNS as mandated by Presidential Decree 1569. Since the promulgation of PD 1569 in 1978, thousands of BNSs all over the country have been serving our communities by delivering basic nutrition and related services to the families, particularly those with malnourished children. They serve as an important link between the community and the service providers of nutrition and health services. As trained community nutrition workers, they care for the malnourished, mobilize the community for nutrition action, build linkages to ensure delivery of services to community members, keep records for reference and provide other forms of assistance.
The BNSs are usually seen carrying salter-type weighing scale and height board to weigh and measure children aged 0-71 months during Operation Timbang and regular growth monitoring. They also assist the health center staff in giving micronutrient supplements to mothers and children. They conduct home visits to counsel mothers on breastfeeding and correct child feeding practices, and to actively find cases of malnutrition and refer them to the health center for appropriate management. They conduct Pabasa sa Nutrisyon classes and other nutrition education activities. In Metro Manila, many of the BNSs have multiple roles and wear many “hats” as they are also members of the breastfeeding support group and Community Health Team among others.
Given the tremendous workload, the BNSs are differently compensated depending on their LGU and barangay. In NCR, some BNSs receive compensation from their city or municipal government or from the barangay council. Some have permanent position as Barangay Health Aide but they function as BNS. Most BNSs are hired as casual, job order or contractual personnel while others receive only honorarium or allowance from the LGU or barangay council.
Regardless of the monetary compensation, the BNSs continue to work hard to help improve the nutrition condition of the barangay that they serve. They dedicate their time and energy to ensure that families, especially those with malnourished children, are given the necessary nutrition interventions.
According to the 2012 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) of NCR, Ms. Mary Grace P. Tamayo of Barangay Pag-asa, Mandaluyong City, “Bilang isang BNS, isa rin kaming lingkod bayan. Kahit na mahirap ang trabaho, maraming taong nakakasalamuha na hindi naiintindihan ang adbokasiya natin sa nutrisyon, tuloy pa rin kami sa serbisyo. Pero itong hirap na nararanasan namin ang siya ring nagpapaliyab ng aming dedikasyon upang magpatuloy. Kung marami pang bata na dapat patabain, kung marami pang tao ang hindi naiintindihan ang importansya ng nutrisyon, ibig sabihin lang nito ay marami pang dapat gawin. Marami pang dapat maabutan ng mga programang pangnutrisyon at pangkalusugan. Mahirap maging BNS, pero kung ang isang tao ay may dedikasyon, tiyaga, sipag, malasakit at higit sa lahat PUSO upang maglingkod, makakamit natin ang TAGUMPAY laban sa gutom at malnutrisyon.”
For 35 years now, the BNSs continue to champion the cause of good nutrition in the barangays, working selflessly to help families improve their lives through good nutrition. As unsung heroes in nutrition, they deserve all the support that they can get particularly from the local chief executives being the chair of the local nutrition committees and from the barangay councils. They should be given the opportunity to continue to serve the communities with pride and dignity.
Mahalin at suportahan natin ang mga BNS dahil ang mga BNS ang Bayani at Bida sa Nutrisyon sa mga barangay!
