Mrs. Marilou Canete said that her daughter is indeed a blessing to their family, when she gave birth last 02 September 2011. This was eleven days after she went through an evaluation process as a volunteer Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) for Barangay Concepcion Grande, Naga City, as part of the search for the Most Outstanding BNS being undertaken by National Nutrition Council (NNC). Malou as she is fondly called by her friends, won the National Outstanding BNS for 2010, an award given by the National Nutrition Council to Barangay Nutrition Scholars across the country. Her efforts in targeting clientele in the Barangay for the effective and efficient implementation of nutrition program with the support of the Barangay Nutrition Committee not only bear fruit for addressing malnutrition in her locality but also would ensure that her baby, along with the other infants in her Barangay would continuously be receiving support to ensure good nutrition.
In recognition of her outstanding performance, BNS Malou Canete will receive a trophy and cash award, a desktop computer-printer set given by AGHAM Partylist Representative Angelo Palmones. The recognition and awarding will take place on 25 October 2011 in Manila.
While Naga City had been National Nutrition Honor Awardee for nutrition program since 1996, the last time region 5 got the Outstanding BNS Award was 1998. Last year, Malou Canete was the 3rd runner up at the national level and had also been the Regional Outstanding Baranggay Nutrition Scholar for Region 5 for the past two years. Likewise, her home community has also been awarded the Model Breastfeeding Barangay, of Naga City.
Ms. Arlene Reario, the Nutrition Program Coordinator (NPC) of NNC Region V expressed gratitude for the support being extended by community partners, particularly LGU and Barangay Officials not only in the evaluation of BNS performance but the whole gamut of nutrition program implementation. “Programs and projects that seeks to develop capacities of partner stakeholders, would not have been possible if not for the support and relentless efforts of BNS volunteers like Malou Canete”, Ms. Reario said.
