It was in 2009 when the municipal, city and provincial BNS federations of the seven (7) provinces and 14 cities of Central Luzon were organized into a regional federated group, named Central Luzon Association of BNSs, Incorporated or CLABI. Ms. Filipina A. Delos Reyes, president of the local association of BNSs-Bayanihang Bulakenyo in Bulacan Province, was the first elected president and the longest-running CLABI president from 2009 to 2019.
It was in December 2013 when CLABI was registered with the Security Exchange Commission, with the assistance of Ms. Evelyn A. Gamurot, CNPC of Tarlac City and president of the Association of Central Luzon District and City Nutrition Program Coordinators.
The regular meetings of the CLABI officers twice or thrice a year made them more closer, active and visible members of their community. Whenever NNC-Region III reached out to them during, program implementation reviews, trainings and gatherings like BNS Congress, held every two years by NNC-Central Office, their involvement and support to various projects and activities in the community, municipality and provinces grew stronger and motivated. More so, the hardship brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic situations in their communities did not hinder them to share their knowledge, their open hands and all-out support even during enhanced community quarantine.
When a new set of officers was elected on 4 December 2019 at the Saint Ferdinand Hall, Ephatha Development Center-SACOP in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, the association expressed their desire to hold the induction of its board of officers outside the regional center and their hope that one of the governors in Central Luzon will officiate the oathtaking ceremony.
The big event came on 14 August 2020, the first ever online oath taking ceremony was made possible via Zoom teleconference which was simulcast via Facebook livestream. This special activity coincided with the celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa and Breastfeeding Month which made the day quite memorable for the 21 members of the CLABI Board and Presidents of their respective provinces and cities. A wish come true, an induction with a governor.
The Virtual Oath Taking Ceremony was officiated by Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Chairperson of the Central Luzon Regional Development Council-Subcommittee on Social Development. Governor Fernando spared his precious time with the CLABI Board, not only encouraging them, but also honouring them for painstakingly doing their jobs bounded by the strong ties between the national government and the local government, particularly at the barangay level, the strong ties among the families, health and nutrition workers and the local leaders working as a team to deliver nutrition services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Fernando also answered some queries of the BNS soon after delivering his inspirational message.
Three questions raised and answered as follows: First question - How can the BNSs have security of tenure? BNSs are worried of losing their positions as they are appointed by their respective Barangay Chairman, and most of the time, during change of leadership, they (BNSs) lose their jobs in the community as nutrition workers. Governor Fernando answered by citing an ordinance that was passed in Bulacan wherein volunteers (“Lingkod Lingap Nayon”), in which the BNSs are a part of, are secured in terms of their tenure-ship and do not face any risk of losing their job as BNS. Governor Fernando also encouraged other Local Chief Executives (LCEs) to do the same so as to secure the tenure-ship of the grassroots nutrition worker. He also acknowledged the hard work and sacrifices of the BNSs.
Second question- Is there a way that the provincial government can give support to the BNSs in acquiring weighing scales and height boards in every single barangay? Again, Governor Fernando cited his province as example at which he mentioned that he made sure that every single barangay has complete height boards and weighing scale, as the most important tools needed by the BNSs in doing their work as nutrition workers. He also mentioned that everything the health and nutrition workers request in terms of devices and tools are granted immediately as they know that these tools serve as the primary equipment that the health and nutrition workers needed in order for them to be able to do their responsibilities properly without any delay.
Third question - What can the BNSs do in order for them to advocate for increase of their honorarium/allowance that the barangay and municipality is giving them? Governor Fernando suggested that the BNSs raise this particular concern to their LCEs for them to increase the allowance of the health and nutrition workers. For Bulacan Province, the allowance/honorarium for the health and nutrition workers is increased at a particular time period. He also mentioned that not only the municipalities and barangays are granting the honoraria for the health and nutrition workers, but also the provincial government also provides them with allowance as they are aware of the efforts and sacrifices of the workers in the grassroots level.
After the short question and answer with Governor Fernando, the NNC-Region III, represented by NPC Rosaldo, and the CLABI members expressed their thanks to Governor Fernando for sharing his time in answering some questions and offering solutions to the CLABI’s queries.
A special video presentation honoring the hard work of the BNSs of Central Luzon was shown and a photo opportunity with Governor Fernando capped the first ever virtual Oath Taking Ceremony of the CLABI (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sv4taKVAMwBziuvgrn28BbxR-O8Txcev/view).
Mabuhay ang mga BNSs, the modern heroes of our time. Truly, you are the ties that bind!
Author:
NO III Angelita M. Pasos
NO I Antonette Gail D. Garcia
