City of San Fernando, La Union-- The LUPang Ilocos Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation, Inc. (LUPangIlocosBNSFed.,Inc.) through its Resolution No.1 series of 2020, “Implementation of BNS Loans to Provide Financial Assistance for the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) in the Region During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Who are Badly in Need” provides Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) worth of loan assistance with zero percent (0%) interest to in-need BNSs in Region I. It was approved on 6th of May 2020 during the second virtual meeting of its board.

The idea emanated during the discussion of realignment and postponement of its lined-up activities this 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dahil may pondo naman tayo at dahil hindi naman lahat ng mga BNSs ay nakakuha ng SAP, pwede rin nating tulungan ang mga kasamahan natin na nangangailangan din…”, said Regional BNS Vice-President and Former President Nory Estoesta which was instantly seconded by the current President Ms. Amelita Dahuya and the rest of the board

Despite the pandemic, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) have been volunteering as frontliners and are actively responding as members of their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT). They are assisting in the repacking and distribution of food packs, visiting malnourished children, pregnant women, and senior citizens to ensure monitoring of their nutritional status. They are also assisting in monitoring PUMs and PUIs in their community. They are indeed our Nutrition Heroes during this difficult time.

Unfortunately, during the two-month long Community Quarantine, BNSs were affected especially in their sources of income and livelihood. Some BNSs received cash assistance through the Social Amelioration Program of the Bayanihan Heal as One Act but others were not eligible for the grant. But with the initiative of the Regional BNS Federation officers, fully supported by the National Nutrition Council- Regional Office I (NNC-ROI), they pushed to provide loanable amount to provide financial assistance to in-need BNSs. This was strongly favored by its President, Ms. Amelita Dahuya and the rest of the board.

On May 6, 2020, the resolution was drafted to provide loan amounting to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for each Provincial Federation of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan with a grand total of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos. Each qualified BNS is given a maximum loanable amount of Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00) payable for one year through monthly installment with Zero Percent (0%) interest.

In coordination with the National Nutrition Council-Regional Office I, the Regional BNS officers are in-charge to closely monitor its implementation. The respective Provincial BNS Federations are responsible for the assessment of the BNS loan applications based on the qualifications. The program will be prioritizing members or officers who are badly in need and did not receive any financial grants from any institution of the government. Due to limited funding, the LUPangIlocosBNSFed.,Inc. also urged its provincial leagues to augment for whatever capacity they may offer.

In these difficult times, let us promote, protect, and support our Nutrition Heroes. Not everyone can do big things, but we all can do small things in any way with love and sincerity. It may seem small but the effect could be extraordinary.

The LUPang Ilocos Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation, Inc. is a SEC registered non-profit, non-stock federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars in Region I governed by duly elected officers; this organization aims to promote unity and linkages among Local BNS Federations. JMPP