While the country is still in the pandemic and everybody is trying to protect themselves from the virus, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) in Metro Manila are also on the lookout to prevent deterioration of nutritional status among children 0-59 months old by measuring the weight and height of these children.  

In an online meeting of the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholar of NCR, Inc. on January 26, 2022, the BNSs from the nine (9) LGUs of Metro Manila shared that they have started the conduct of Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus in their barangays.

The OPT Plus is the annual weight and height-taking of children aged 0-59 months old done from January to March. The information gathered in the OPT Plus is used to identify malnourished children that should be prioritized in the provision of nutrition interventions.

Although the surge of COVID-19 cases in the region limits the BNSs to go house to house, they measure the weight and height of children visiting health centers. Infection and prevention control protocols are strictly followed such as wearing of face masks and ensuring that tools are sanitized before and after use.

In December 2020, the National Nutrition Council issued the Memorandum No. 010 entitled “Interim Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) activities in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Related Purposes”. As stated in the guidelines, the conduct of OPT Plus using traditional weight and height measuring tools should be continued as basis to provide interventions to prevent deterioration of nutritional status and this should be completed within the first quarter of the year. LGUs may opt to use the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference to assess the nutritional status of children if the situation does not allow the use of traditional tools.

The BNSs in NCR in addition to the conduct of OPT Plus will continue the conduct of growth monitoring and promotion activities and assist the delivery of nutrition and related services in their barangays to prevent malnutrition among children 0-59 months old.

Written by: NOIII Emerenciana L. Francia and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo

Reference: NNC Memorandum No. 010 entitled “Interim Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) activities in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Related Purposes” dated December 15, 2020