March marks the celebration of the Women’s Month in the entire Philippine archipelago, alongside with the celebration of the International Women’s Day every 8th of March.
As we approach the culmination of the month-long celebration, let us take this as an opportune time to make every Filipino understand the roles of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) as the dedicated – lady Juanas, the barangay-based volunteer workers who are empowered by their love for service to the people—their “kababayans’.
Levering the works of these women, we salute their continuous and unrelenting support to the barangay nutrition program.
First, in organizing the barangay nutrition committee (BNC), the BNSs are there to assist their barangay chairpersons in organizing and reactivating their BNCs. The BNSs also serve as the BNAOs or Barangay Nutrition Action Officers in coordinating the activities of the BNC and assisting in selecting and designing nutrition programs.
Second, in implementing barangay nutrition programs, the BNSs, as members of the Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus Team, identify and locate target preschooler children, prepare and update the master list of beneficiaries, monitor the weight and height of children. They also attend trainings to equip them in providing nutrition and related services, improve their referrals of families with malnourished children to service providers, and continuously advocate for investment for nutrition programs.
And thirdly, in the monitoring and evaluation of BNAP, the BNSs assist the Barangay Secretary in preparing the minutes of meeting and documenting accomplishment reports.
The long list of credentials had transformed them to “jack of all trades” and best leaders that a community could have.
And all these are made possible through the guidance of their District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators and City Municipal Nutrition Action Officers and strong linkages with other co-volunteer workers in the barangays they served.
As the country faces COVID 19 and while some parts of the country are in enhanced community quarantine, the BNSs are among the frontline health and nutrition workers, risking their lives to uphold their spirit of volunteerism and “sinumpaang tungkulin” to prevent further aggravation of hunger and malnutrition in the community, particularly among the at-risk groups and families.
BNSs, we salute you for your courage and strength and as you continuously assist your local officials at the barangay hall and health and nutrition centers in the profiling, repacking and distribution of food and non-food supplies, please do not forget your own safety by observing protocols of the DOH in order not to get infected – maintain social distancing, frequent hand washing, wear mask and spread good news on nutrition and not fake news.
Kudos to all of you, BNSs, the modern Juanas. You are not alone in this battle.
#BeatCOVID-19; #NutritionResponse
Author:
NO III Angelita M. Pasos
3/23/2020
