Author: Hon. Emma C. Santiago

                Kagawad on Health and Nutrition

In line with the health and nutrition program of Brgy. Poblacion, a cross-visit activity to a neighboring province was conceived as an opening step before implementation come into picture.

The cross-visit focused on the outstanding nutrition programs of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte. In attendance to the activity were Barangay Officials, BNC and BNS spearheaded by the newly elected Punong Barangay and MNAO.

Upon return, Chairperson on Health and Nutrition Committee submitted an Activity Design to the Barangay Council which was unanimously approved. The project has a funding support of One Hundred Eighty Thousand (P180,000) pesos sourced out from the Barangay IRA which is a sub-item taken from the 5% budgeted GAD allocation for social services.

The focus of the project is to cater one hundred (150) undernourished children as surveyed ahead of time, 20 of whom belonging to the IPs particularly called the Badjaos.

This project underwent the bidding process since the allocated amount surpassed the allowable limit for small-value procurement.

It was in September 2020 that the feeding started. Assisted by the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in some cases, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) assigned in the 33 puroks of the barangay took turns in getting the food and feeding the meal to the undernourished children aged 12 to 59 months old. Teamwork was observed just to be sure the implementation to be continuous and orderly. Though there was an experienced vacuum of continuity due to the pandemic, not to count the holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which caused the program to stop temporarily. Cases of COVID-19 got rampant in the barangay sometime between the end of September to December 2020.

Along the way, problems popped up which were then solved through daily follow-ups and monthly BNS regular meetings that were presided by the overall BNS Chairperson together with the presence of the MNAO, Punong barangay, Barangay secretary, and Committee Chair for instances deemed necessary.

So far, loopholes were addressed since the 33 puroks were grouped into 7 zones headed by a zone leader of which these leaders get out of their way to check if feeding was rightly done.

BNS consolidated their reports and submit them to the MNAO to serve as basis for an updated information for the entire Brgy. Poblacion.

Moreover, the Barangay Feeding Program has indicated a sufficient increase of children with improved nutritional status from being undernourished to normal. A few remained as is due to some ailments which needed ample time of recovery.

Further, the program is scheduled to end on the second week of February to complete the 60-day activity. The BNC envisioned to award incentives to selected BNSs for their meritorious accomplishments to heighten their love for service to the poor and the needy. This local government initiative was geared towards the realization of one of the government’s agenda which is to establish good health for all. As the saying goes “Healthy citizens make up a healthy nation for a better tomorrow.”