2-6 and 16-20 September 2013 – The Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) of CaLaBaRZon region had recently undergone a series of trainings to capacitate them on the Nutrition Program Management (NPM) and Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) at the Eurotel Hotel in Makati City.
NAOs from selected municipalities of Quezon province and other municipalities and cities in the region comprised the participants of the said trainings. The activity aimed to empower the new and/or untrained nutrition workers in managing the local nutrition program as well as the Barangay Nutrition Scholars in their respective localities.
The action officers were given various workshops and exercises to upgrade their knowledge and skills specifically in the area of nutrition program planning and management, and in supervising the BNS, for them to become effective nutrition program managers. They also made their re-entry plans which are expected to be implemented once they return to their areas.
NPC Carina Santiago thanked the NAOs for their active participation during the trainings and challenged them to apply their learnings and skills, including the set of core values needed in their work. Further, she encouraged everyone to come up with more realistic, comprehensive, sustainable and responsive nutrition action plans that would really address the nutrition problems in their area based on a critical analysis of their nutrition situation. She further challenged the participants to produce an Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar who can compete not just at the regional level but at the national level as well, and who will serve as the shining example for the BNSs in the region to emulate and serve as inspiration.
The NAOs are considered as among the movers in nutrition improvement and are tasked to coordinate the planning, implementation and management of local nutrition programs. They are also the supervisors of the BNSs and are responsible for the training and development of these barangay workers. Together with the local government units (LGUs), they are regarded as catalysts of change for nutrition improvement.
NNC-Cabarzon shall monitor the implementation of their re-entry plans as well as the submission of NAPs and continue giving technical assistance to ensure that nutrition programs are effectively in place and contribute to the improvement of the nutrition situation in the region.
