On May 27, 2015, the officers and board members of the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholar of NCR, Inc. together with NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Mila V. Federizo and Nutrition Officer I Bea R. Menorca, headed off to Naga City for their 3-day Learning Visit (Lakbay-Aral) and Team Building.

Naga City Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Raquel Buere and Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Teresita del Castillo warmly welcomed the group. CNPC Buere gave them a tour of the city hall showcasing their Breastfeeding Room which is spacious and comfortable, manned by an Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)-trained staff ready to counsel or assist the breastfeeding mothers. CNAO Castillo oriented the group on their city’s nutrition program and projects highlighting the priority actions of the City Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor John G. Bongat. The group also visited two barangays namely, Barangay Carolina and Concepcion Grande, where they experienced the warm hospitality of the Barangay Nutrition Committee of the two barangays. In both barangays, the group learned much from the good practices on nutrition program implementation shared by Bgy. Chairperson Alicia Saba and BNS Marilou Jimenez (Bgy. Concepcion) and Kgwd. on Health and Nutrition Medith Bollosa and BNS Liezel Mapa (Bgy. Concepcion Grande). The BNSs enjoyed their interaction with fellow BNSs Marilou and Liezel and members of the BNCs.

Hon. Mayor John G. Bongat, inspite of his busy schedule, spent time to meet and talk with the NCR delegates. He shared his views on nutrition being his administration’s priority program and what the city government is currently doing to improve further the nutrition situation in Naga City.

For their Team Building exercises, the group went to Naga City Hall garden and Naga City Ecology Park. The exercises enabled them to get to know each other better, strengthen their unity and cooperation and deepen their appreciation of their roles as officers and board members of the BNS Federation. The exercises and fun games were facilitated by NO I Menorca and RNPC Federizo.

The group was very inspired with what they have seen, heard and experienced in their learning visit. The fun-filled learning experiences gained and the bonding moments shared by the group made the long hours of travel to and from Naga City truly worth the trip. Thank you, Naga City! (MABRM/MEVF/NNCNCR)