Around 300 Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) from the 17 local government units (LGUS) in Metro Manila pledged to fight hunger and malnutrition through the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 during the 31st Annual Regional BNS Conference held on 21 November 2017 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel in the City of Manila.
This year’s conference with the theme, “BNS: Sama-samang iPPANalo ang Bayan!”, aimed to inform the participants on the PPAN, its thrusts, strategic directions and programs in achieving the targeted nutrition outcomes. As the front-line workers in the barangay who provide basic nutrition and related services and serve as the link between the service providers and the families, the BNSs were updated on what they can do to promote and support the PPAN.
In her message, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Milagros Elisa V. Federizo congratulated the Regional Federation of BNSs in organizing a yearly conference that will update the BNSs on relevant nutrition topics and serve as a venue for camaraderie and foster unity among them. She asked for the commitment of all the BNSs in NCR in winning nutrition through PPAN to which the BNSs replied, “BNS: Sama-samang iPPANalo ang Bayan!”
Resource speakers who are experts in their respective fields were invited to discuss the following topics: 1.) Mobilizing Support for Nutrition (Mr. Danilo N. Posion, 2015 National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Tagaytay City); 2) Winning in Nutrition through PPAN 2017-2022 and National Dietary Supplementation Program (Ms. Maria Lourdes A. Vega, Chief, Nutrition Policy and Planning Division, NNC); 3) “Promoting Behavior Change for Nutrition: The PSN Way” (Ms. Jocelyn L. Gualberto, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Pangil, Laguna); and 4) Service with Passion and Compassion (Bro. Renato “Eng” M. Si, Feast Builder, Quezon City).
Keynote Speaker, Congresswoman Alexandria “Queenie” P. Gonzales, District Representative in Mandaluyong City, said that her heart is very close to nutrition for she was the former Nutrition Action Officer in her LGU. She promised to support the BNSs in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. She encouraged the BNSs that with passion and dedication to their work, together with other stakeholders, they can win the fight against malnutrition – iPPANalo ang Bayan!.
“The success of your programs will and yet be the victory of our mission and of our people as we march on toward our dream of development and change. Truly then you will shine brightly as an epitome of a true public servant.”, Gonzales said in her parting words.
The conference was organized by the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholar of NCR, Inc. in partnership with the National Nutrition Council – National Capital Region.
(MABRM/TAR/MEVF/NNC-NCR)
