Ms. Aurelia Aguilar, BNS, Barangay Oaqui #3, Luna, La Union - “Success and fulfillment are attained through hard work, dedication and perseverance but more importantly compassion, selflessness, and kindness to others.
Compassion, selflessness, and kindness to others are what drove Ms. Aurelia O. Aguilar to follow the path of public service as a BNS in September of 2005. These qualities, coupled with dedication, hard work, and perseverance gained the full support of the BNC Members headed by former Punong Barangay Christopher A. Manantan on all the nutrition programs, projects, and activities that she initiated.
Throughout her 16 years tenure as a BNS, she had outstandingly performed her roles and functions without expecting any monetary return. It is her dedication and dream to eradicate malnutrition and her compassion for others that drives her to continue working harder. This endeared her to the current BNC Members and Punong Barangay Randolph A. Aragon.
She is continuously ensuring the functionality of the BNC through working hand in hand with the planning core group. She leads them in formulating BNAP and assessing the Nutrition Situation in their barangay through the conduct of OPT Plus, Family Profile Survey, and Spot Map Creation to have a clearer view of the extent of malnutrition status of the barangay which is very useful in the planning and implementation of specific activities to address community’s nutrition problem. She also regularly assists the Punong Barangay to convene meetings and actively helps in the preparation of the work plan and budget for the Nutrition Action Plan. This ensures that the BNC Members have implemented the Nutrition interventions and are regularly monitored and evaluated.
BNS Aurelia the action woman on nutrition in the barangay regularly conducts house-to-house visits to encourage the mothers of 0–59-month-old preschoolers to subject their children to regular immunization, Deworming, and Vitamin A Supplementation. She strictly monitors the weight of preschool children as she was very determined to achieve zero prevalence of underweight children in the barangay. She continuously encourages all pregnant women to visit the Health Center for their prenatal check-ups.
Her passion and eagerness to impart proper knowledge about nutrition to families with preschoolers, pregnant and lactating mothers are the reason behind the yearly PABASA sa Nutrisyon, IYCF Practices, First 1000 Days of Life, 10 KUMANINMENTS, Promotion of Sangkap Pinoy Seal, Pinggang Pinoy, and Asin Law in the barangay.
She also spearheaded the revision of signages posted along the road such as 10 Kumainments, Sangkap Pinoy Seal, Pinggang Pinoy, Iodized Salt, Iron Fortified Rice, and Malunggay the Provincial Vegetable of La Union to create awareness on the importance of health and nutrition as well as a healthy lifestyle and thus helping co-barangay folks to improve their health.
Initiating activities for the yearly Nutrition Month Celebration which includes Cook Fest and Zumba dance is her devotion which demonstrates her support to the Provincial Health Program. These activities showcase the talent of her kabarangays in preparing healthy meals and strengthening their camaraderie.
Her passion and commitment to her aspirations lead her to devise innovative projects such as the Communal Garden. With the full support of the BNC Members, they have generated funds for the acquisition and installation of Jetmatic pumps, facilitate the production of seedlings and planting materials. She also initiated the feeding of pregnant women and the Nutri-Ganansiya Project in which the proceeds will help increase funds for health and nutrition projects. Because of the noble objective of the project, a kindhearted sponsor offered financial assistance for the procurement of a hi-speed sewing machine to increase the production of potholders and doormats. Other products produced on the said program are dishwashing liquid making and dustpan.
All these accomplishments were possible because of the presence of effective and efficient BNC Members and thus Ms. Aurelia is very thankful to them for their unending support.
