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CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA----- “Naalala ko bago ako pumasok bilang Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) sa aming barangay, mataas ang malnutrisyon (prevalence) rate. Dito humugot ako ng inspirasyon at boluntaryong pumasok bilang Barangay Nutrition Scholar upang tugunan ang problemang ito,” emotionally shared by BNS Lenie Q. Bulan, during the interview for the Search for Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars conducted by Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) Region 02.
A barangay nutrition scholar is a barangay-based volunteer worker responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay.
As a volunteer worker, BNS’s receive minimal honorarium and allowances from local, provincial, and national government, however this did not hinder BNS Bulan to persevere and fully commit to serve the vulnerable groups in their barangay.
In her years as a BNS, she consistently was able to maintain a downtrend of the prevalence rate of underweight until she successfully maintains zero prevalence rate from 2018 to present.
She also started resource generation such as partnership with Non-Government Organization such as collecting recyclable bottles, Barya ko pakikinabangan project, Kakanin Innovation, Buntis Ipon Challenge (FA), Mugs for sale, and ASISAG (selling of iodized salt) wherein all projects and activities were documented, accounted and proceeds from the resource generation were used for nutrition program promotion of their barangays.
In addition, supportive Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) gave edged to BNS Bulan as she consistently mobilized her BNC members to attend meetings, conduct monitoring and evaluation and to support her in the implementation of nutrition program in their barangay.
On the other hand, the support of City of Ilagan Nutrition Committee headed by Mayor Josemarie Diaz, Chair of the City Nutrition Committee, gave their support through provision of capability building, provision of adequate barangay budget and ensure of integration of nutrition in their local development plan and annual investment program.
This support translated to the fact that the City of Ilagan is already recipient of Nutrition Honor Award (NHA), highest nutrition award to date, last 2018. Winning this ROBNS, set their record of having the first ever ROBNs trophy in their city.
“Sa wakas, matagal po naming itong hinintay almost 10 years din po naming itong inantay, pinaghirapan at binuhos taon taon ang suporta sa aming mga BNSs. Tunay na Bayani ng Nutrisyon ang ating mga BNSs,” happily shared by Dr. Herbee Manaligod-Barrios, outgoing City Nutrition Action Officer and City Health Officer-City of Ilagan.
In addition, Dr. Barrios ensured the continuous support led by City Mayor Josemarie Diaz, to the nutrition programs specially the shift of ensuring that the First 1000 days of every individual is protected.
“Sa ngayon po nagpupursigi akong tutukan naman ang stunting sa aming barangay, patuloy na po ang pagbaba ng stunting dahil sa mga collaborative efforts ng BNC members sa Cabisera 27 sa pagpapatupad ng mga activities on the First 1000 Days,” as BNS Bulan shared the challenges she needs to face on the next years of implementing nutrition programs in their barangay.
Moreover, BNS Bulan assured to also monitor the overweight and obese children as the pandemic already last for almost two years, resulting to inactivity and poor choices of food to their children.
BNS Bulan outshined six (6) other outstanding BNSs from different provinces and cities in the region.
BNS Bulan will be conferred the 2019 ROBNS trophy and cash award during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony tentatively scheduled in November 2021.###John Nestor Ballad
