The Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) of NCR, Inc. in partnership with the National Nutrition Council-NCR (NNC-NCR) held its 2021 Barangay Nutrition Scholars' Regional Conference with the theme, "Ang BNS sa Pagtutok sa First 1000 Days" on November 25, 2021 via Zoom. Five hundred and sixty-four (564) BNSs from the seventeen (17) local government units in Metro Manila attended the online event. This year’s conference focused on the roles of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) in the implementation of the First 1000 Days Plus and the Early Childhood Care and Development in the First 1000 Days (ECCD-F1K) Program, both anchored on the RA 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Magnanay Act.

Regional BNS Federation President Mary Grace Tamayo welcomed all the participants and expressed her thanks to her fellow BNSs who remain steadfast in their commitment to serve the communities despite the threat of COVID-19. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat dahil kahit may pandemic at tayo ay hindi na halos nakakapag-pahinga dahil nakakasama tayo sa COVID-19 response sa ating lugar ay pinili pa rin ninyo na maka-attend sa ating conference kahit virtually, upang madagdagan ang kaalaman at mapahusay ang kakayahan upang tayo ay patuloy na makapagbigay ng serbisyong pang-nutrisyon sa ating barangay”, Pres. Tamayo said.
In her opening message, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo expressed her hope that through the conference, the BNSs will have a better understanding of the First 1000 Days Plus. “The BNSs are important in the operationalization of the F1KD Law or the RA 11148 in the barangays”, NPC Federizo said. She urged all BNSs to continue loving their work amidst all the challenges brought about by the pandemic. “Your work is very important especially during these challenging times. You need to continue delivering nutrition services to the communities using different strategies. We need good nutrition to be resilient during this pandemic,” NPC Federizo added.

Metro Manila Center for Health Development Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, in her inspirational message, highlighted the importance of the BNSs in the delivery of nutrition services and growth monitoring of children in the barangays. “The implementation of health and nutrition programs is really a challenge due to the pandemic. The BNSs contribute a lot in promoting and protecting the overall health and nutritional well-being of the people in the barangays,” said RD Balboa.

Nutrition Champions Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos of Mandaluyong City and Mayor Antolin A. Oreta of Malabon City also delivered messages of support and encouragement to the BNSs. They both expressed high regard for the BNSs who are hardworking and highly committed in ensuring good nutrition of children during their First 1000 Days (F1KD) of life.

RNPC Federizo in her presentation, explained the F1KD Plus and the Nurturing Care Framework to ensure integration of services for the holistic development of children 0 to 3 years of age. She explained the different activities of the BNSs in the F1KD Plus starting at prenatal/antennal, birth and newborn period, first 6 months of infancy, infants 6 months up to two years of age, and throughout the F1KD Plus.

The roles of the BNSs in the implementation of the ECCD-F1K Program were explained by Nutrition Officer II Theresa A. Rivas. She discussed during her talk the developmental milestones of children that should be monitored by the parents/caregivers. She emphasized the need of young children for appropriate early learning activities, and that parents should provide their young children the right stimulation activities for development.

A panel discussion on the topic, “Ang BNS sa Pagtutok sa First 1000 Days” gave the three (3) BNSs namely, BNS Gina G. Reyes of Taguig City, BNS Marie Emeline R. dela Cruz of Las Piñas City and BNS Arceli B. Mendoza of Parañaque City, the opportunity to share their programs, projects, and activities on the F1KD in their barangays as well as their good practices and strategies pre- and during pandemic.

Indeed, the BNSs play a crucial role in the delivery of nutrition and related interventions during the F1KD.  They are considered unsung heroes, protecting the nutritional well-being of mothers and children in the barangays, especially during this pandemic. Let us give them the admiration and appreciation they truly deserve. Dahil sila ang Bida sa Nutrisyon sa barangay, patuloy na lumalaban sa malnutrisyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtutok sa First 1000 days.

Written by:
Nutrition Officer I Isabela Dainelle O. Lucas and
Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo