The Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) of NCR, Inc. in partnership with the National Nutrition Council-NCR held its 2020 Barangay Nutrition Scholars' Regional Conference with the theme, "BNS: Bayani ng Nutrisyon at Serbisyo sa Panahon ng Pandemya" on December 10, 2020 via Zoom and was livestreamed on NNC-NCR’s Facebook page. Five hundred two (502) BNSs from the seventeen (17) local government units in Metro Manila attended the online event. This year’s conference focused on continuing delivery of nutrition services in the context of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Ms. Mary Grace Tamayo, President of the Regional BNS Federation, welcomed all guests and participants. Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Milagros Elisa V. Federizo expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all BNSs who continue to deliver nutrition services despite the risk of COVID-19. According to her, BNSs are considered Nutrition Heroes. In her message, she called on all BNSs to continue their fight against hunger and malnutrition amid the pandemic.

National Nutrition Council Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang in her inspirational message, assured the BNSs that they are not alone in the battle against malnutrition.  The NNC is committed to support them in any way possible. She expressed NNC’s deep appreciation of their service and heroism in making sure that families, especially those with pregnant and lactating women and children under 2 years old, receive the critical nutrition interventions to prevent stunting.

The following topics were adeptly discussed at the conference: Delivering Nutrition Services in the New Normal (NOIII Emerenciana L. Francia, NNC-NCR), OPT Plus and Growth Monitoring in the New Normal (NOII Leah M. Felismino, NNC-Nutrition Surveillance Division), and The BETTER Normal (Bro. Renato M. Si, Motivational Speaker). Good practices during the pandemic were also shared by selected BNSs: BNS sa Dietary Supplementation Program (BNS Liezl P. Casera, Malabon City), BNS sa Panahon ng Kalamidad (BNS Alicia A. Tanabe, Muntinlupa City), and BNS sa Pangangalaga at Pagsulong ng Infant and Young Children Feeding or IYCF (BNS Juliet T. Santos, Marikina City).

Regional BNS Federation President Mary Grace P. Tamayo and Treasurer Rossana N. Jacinto also presented their respective accomplishment reports. BNS April B. Creencia presented the Synthesis and BNS Olivia D. Tomas gave the Closing Message. Raffle winners were also drawn at the end of the program.

Despite the pandemic, the Federation of BNSs of NCR was able to continue holding their yearly regional conference which has become a tradition for many years. This year, however, marks a milestone since they had it virtually and was simulcast via Facebook Live.

The BNSs of Metro Manila commit to continue their selfless tasks of delivering nutrition services to families in the communities to prevent and reduce all forms of malnutrition amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (DKFV/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)