The resiliency of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) had been tested through many crises, natural calamities and disasters, and issues faced by the region in the past. This year, their commitment and passion for is being tested with the current COVID-19 situation. All over the region, their initiatives and efforts had been recognized by the Local Government Units and other nutrition stakeholders as they bravely accept the challenges they face.
As community-based volunteers, they still ensure implementation of nutrition programs in the barangay. Amidst COVID-19, they still conduct house-to-house supplemental feeding to identified underweight, wasted, and stunted in their respective areas and likewise monitor the weight and height of these children. They also ensure that the family of the malnourished children are among the beneficiaries of relief goods in their barangays. They also advocate for the inclusion of healthy and nutritious fruits, vegetables, egg, fresh meat and poultry in the family food packs given by their barangays to the general population. They also remain vigilant towards the violation of Executive Order 51 or the Milk Code of the Philippines and ensuring that no infant formula milks are being included in the relief goods for distribution among the general population. They also help their respective local agriculture office in distribution of seedlings and seeds for food production, even in times of crisis.
Aside from ensuring proper nutrition among their respective barangays, most of our BNSs still perform other functions as being a member of the BHERT, and as a frontliner amid COVID-19 situation. They prepared list of families to be given assistance and relief goods. They helped in packing and distributing of relief goods in their barangays. They also rendered duty in checkpoints in their barangays to either check the temperature of travelers or disinfect the vehicles of the travelers passing their area. They also conducted house-to-house monitoring of probable and suspected cases of COVID-19. They also helped in distribution of vitamins and medicines among those in need. Most, if not all, of these additional tasks were carried by our dear BNSs out of service and compassion.
The outstanding service and efforts of our BNSs, not just for health and nutrition services, but also for social services during this COVID-19 situation, are highly commendable and should be recognized. As volunteers, they may not earn as much, but they surely have big hearts and dedicated minds for service.
To our BNSs, and other frontliners, SALUTE! -EMArcinue
