The Municipality of Sominot, in collaboration with the National Nutrition Council Region 9 (NNC9) and the Provincial Nutrition Office of Zamboanga del Sur, held their Training on Basic Course for BNS from February 2 to 4, 2022. Led by their Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Ms. Cheryl A. Sumagang, the capacity development activity was attended by a total of twenty-eight (28) Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) from eighteen barangays. This three-day training aims to: 1. Explain the legal mandates and rationale of the BNS program; 2. Discuss the basic concepts of food and nutrition; 3. Demonstrate the skills needed in performing the roles and tasks of BNSs; 4. Describe the nutrition program management at the barangay level and in the context of the local development system; and 5. Illustrate the numerous roles and responsibilities of BNSs in the context of nutrition program management at the barangay level.

The training is composed of five modules and was discussed by the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer of Zamboanga del Sur, Ms. Grace F. Sumogue, assisted by District Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Lea Ariza. The five (5) modules that were covered were as follows: 1.) presents the legal basis and rationale for the implementation of the BNS program, 2.) discusses the information about the relationship of food, diet, and nutritional status, different forms of malnutrition, its causes, and consequences, 3.) equips the BNSs with important skills needed to effectively perform their roles and functions, 4.) situates the BNS program in the overall local development system and provides a better understanding of NPM and, 5.) defines the roles and functions of BNS in the context NPM.

It is stated in the Presidential Decree 1569 that providing a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in every barangay will strengthen the Barangay Nutrition Program. Further, it is stated in this law that the Barangay Nutrition Scholar shall be a barangay-based volunteer worker and is responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay. The Barangay Nutrition Program specifically aims to develop a system or facility for the delivery of basic nutrition and related health services in the barangay through the use of the BNS as a support to the Philippine Nutrition Program (now known as the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition). The BNS program shall be implemented by the Local Government Unit (LGU) through the local nutrition committee (LNC) chaired by the local chief executives (LCEs). Furthermore, it calls for active community participation and through the BNS, the action plan will be designed and implemented at the barangay level.

With all these, NNC9 will continuously assist the LGUs and Local Nutrition Program Implementers on their need to improve their technical skills in performing their roles and functions. This is geared towards eliminating all forms of malnutrition and improving the nutrition situation in their respective localities making them champions in Nutrition!

PNFP Marie-Claire Gaas, RND

References:

1. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1569

https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1569_1978.html