BAGUIO CITY- The Province of Ilocos Sur in close coordination with the National Nutrition Council Regional Office 1 and LUPangIlocos Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) Federation, Inc. successfully hosted this year’s 9th Regional BNS Congress with the theme: “BNSs: Patuloy ang Pagbibigay ng Dekalidad na Serbisyong Pangnutrisyon…push natin ‘to!” held on September 17-18, 2019 at the Diamond Grand Ballroom, Hotel Supreme, Baguio City.

This annual event was attended by around 800 BNSs coming from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan; officers and members of the District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines, Inc. (D/CNPCAP, Inc.); and invited guests.

Nutrition Program Coordinator Ma. Eileen Blanco delivered the touching message of Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council as the keynote speaker. In her message, she inspired the BNSs to continue to deliver genuine public service and unending devotion to achieve good nutrition for all.

“Ang tanging kahilingan ko ay ang patuloy ninyong pagsisilbi sa ating mga kababayan. Nawa ay patuloy tayong magtulungan upang maabot ng serbisyong pangnutrisyon ang bawat pamilyang nangangailangan sa inyong mga barangay”, she added in her message.

Also, Mayor Benjamin Magalong represented by his Executive Assistant, Ms. Marilyn Castro welcomed the participants and greatly recognized the concerned efforts of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars not only in delivering nutrition services but also improving the quality of life of the people.

One of the hightlights of the event was the Search for the Mutya ng BNSs 2019, a popularity contest represented by candidates from the four provinces of Region 1. BNS Elsa J. Rivera of Agoo, La Union was crowned as the 2019 Mutya ng BNSs while BNS Gloria Segui of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur; BNS Lherma Pascua of Pangasinan and BNS Julita M. Fontanilla of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte adjudged as first, second and third runners-up respectively.

Technical sessions followed the coronation. Topics discussed include: Sharing of Good Practices of B aguio City in the implementation of BNAP by Punong Barangay Ignacio Genesis Gallente of Middle Quirino Hill, Baguio City; Sharing of Good Practices of BNS Annalyn Bernardo of Barangay Patac, Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur; RPAN and BNAP formulation by Mr. Kendall Gatan, Nutrition Officer III of NNC-ROI; Roles of BNSs on the First 1000 Days by Ms. Helen Joy Bugaling, Provincial Nutrition Coordinator of NNC-ROI; MELLPI Pro by Ms. Christie Ferino, Nutrition Officer II of NNC-ROI; Overview of the eOPT Tool and Updated BNS Forms by Ms. Wylibeth Lumpias, Nutrition Officer I off NNC-ROI; and Mental Health by Ms. Janelyn Tuyan.

Other topics discussed during the second day of the event were: Roles, Functions and Benefits of a BNS by Ms. Ma. Eileen Blanco, Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC-ROI; and, Weight and Height Measurement and MUAC-Taking with Demonstration by Ms. Christina Caroy, District Nutrition Program Coordinator of Ilocos Norte.

A general assembly was then held where the Regional President, Ms. Nory Estoesta and the Regional Treasurer of LUPangIlocos BNS Federation, Inc. presented the president’s and treasurer’s report respectively.

Also part of the assembly is the election of the new-set of LUPangIlocos BNS Regional Federation officers where Ms. Amelita Dahuya was elected as President; Ms. Nory Estoesta as Vice President; Ms. Belen Ancheta as Secretary; Ms. Christina Jubilado as Treasurer; Ms. Gloria Segui as Auditor; Mr. Darwin Tumbaga as P.R.O. and Ms. Rosalinda Juan as Business Manager.

The following Board of Directors of the Federation were also seconded: Ms. Corazon Ferrer, Ms. Sharon Tablada, Ms. Rhodora Militante, Ms. Carmelita Cruz, Ms. Marife Santos, and Ms. Lilia Balgos. Assumption of the new set of officers will start January 2020 as per Regional LUPangIlocos BNS Constitution-and-by-Laws.

It was indeed a successful event full of fun and learnings. WNL