Local nutrition workers such as barangay nutrition scholars and district/city nutrition program coordinators play a vital role in ensuring quality delivery of nutrition services and improving the nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups within the localities.
National Nutrition Council MIMAROPA Region spearheaded the conduct of 2021 Joint MIMAROPA Barangay Nutrition Scholars and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Summit held on 24 September 2021 with over 286 participants on both platforms – Zoom Application and Facebook live.
Assistant Secretary and Executive Director of NNC, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang captivated all D/CNPCs and BNSs to execute priority nutrition behaviors through the acronym SCALE UP – Sell nutrition to your local chief executives and members of Sanggunian; Call on non-government agencies, civil society organizations, business sectors, academe, youth, and religious groups; Advocate for the first 1000 days of life; Lead to empower and engage; Engage fathers not just the mothers; Upgrade your skills in nutrition assessment; Push back limitations of COVID-19 pandemic and delivering nutrition quality services.
PNFP Ace Patriarca presented the Orientation on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition to begin the technical session. This aims to understand each component of the PPAN, the country’s blueprint for nutrition and apply learnings to further improve nutrition program implementation within the local level. It is emphasized that the implementation plan will be the basis of preparing agencies budgets and forward estimates.
NO I Nichole Loyola shared the expected roles and functions of D/CNPCs and BNSs and their qualifications. As BNSs are known to be volunteers, guidelines on claiming benefits and incentives given by the NNC were detailed. This includes travelling allowance, medical assistance, survivorship assistance, training kit and handbook, and BNS Civil Service Eligibility. Further, submission of hard copy documents were emphasized as requests will not be processed through soft copy only.
NO II Bianca Estrella provided a brief background on the Electronic Operation Timbang Plus Tool. Since various updates have been made, key features and actual use of regular e-OPT tools for community and large barangay levels were demonstrated. Using this tool may save efficiency to the local nutrition workers as it has automated calculation, built-in error checking features and select forms can be automatically filled up.
NPC-OIC Eileen Blanco discussed how to accurately formulate a Barangay Nutrition Scholar Action Plan (BNSAP). This session revitalized the BNSs on its definition, components and incorporated programs, projects, and activities. BNSs were also reminded that it should be well-accomplished as it is the basis for planning and coordination of various nutrition interventions.
Furthermore, as health and nutrition workers are more at risk of physical and mental consequences during these trying times, Ms. Blecenda Miranda-Varona, the CEO of the Asian Institute of Lifestyle Medicine shared short-term strategies and long-term plans to ease the psychological burden and uplift overall wellness of the BNSs and D/CNPCs.
In between sessions, NutriGames have been facilitated on both platforms to allow engagement and learning at the same time. Relatively, 20 lucky winners have been chosen. Finally, PNFP Francis Bacena expressed the synthesis for all subject matters conversed as the online event closes.
NNC MIMAROPA hopes that through this online summit, improved competencies and uplifted mental health and overall well-being of all nutrition workers specifically D/CNPCs and BNSs of MIMAROPA Region will be able to contribute further towards combating malnutrition as the national nutrition situation is anticipated to worsen due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Missed out the session or should you want to rewatch, please click here: https://fb.watch/8d4nDFw-P-/
Written by: NO I Nichole Loyola
