Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) are known as volunteer workers responsible for delivering nutrition and nutrition-related services in their communities. Every BNS, even though with no compensation, has the willingness to serve in their respective barangays even before the outbreak of COVID-19. Providing basic nutrition and health information to mothers of underweight, stunted, and wasted children, as well as pregnant and lactating women, conducting annual weighing of all children, and monitoring the nutritional status of the 0-5 years old children in their barangay, are just among the many tasks and functions of a BNS.
During this crisis, they still continue to monitor the weight and height of identified underweight, stunted, and wasted children in their respective barangays, promote good nutrition such as suggesting to include healthier food such as vegetables, fish, and eggs in the relief goods or food packs being distributed in their community, and ensure that families in their barangays receive the relief goods. Most of all they make sure that there are no milk formulas and powdered milk being distributed during this critical situation as this is a violation of Executive Order No. 51 or the Milk Code of the Philippines.
Amidst the worldwide-crisis on COVID-19 pandemic they are still there to render services as one of the frontliners in their barangay despite the risk of being infected. The BNSs are also manning the checkpoints to check the body temperature of the passersby, assist in packing and distribution of relief goods, validation of SAP beneficiaries as well as assist in monitoring the suspected and probable cases of COVID-19 in their barangay. Instead of staying at the comfort of their homes, they are rendering services that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. With their passion to serve amidst this pandemic, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars are indeed our Nutrition Heroes.
Together, let us recognize the efforts of our BNSs and salute them for their extraordinary services.
Saludo po kami sa inyo!
AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot
