On August 24 to 26, 2022, the Municipality of Mahayag spearheaded by Hon. Manuel Saladaga, conducts a 3-day Basic Course Training for the (barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) at the Senior Citizen Hall of Poblacion, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur. The activity was attended by no less than fifty (50) participants including the MNAO-designate, Ms. Charisse Norina Aparte, MNPC, Ms. Ludina Mapikutin, PNAO-designate, Ms. Grace F. Sumogue, DNPC, Ms. Lea M. Ariza, DMO II of NNC 9, Ms. Marie-Claire A. Gaas, Administrative Assistant I, Ms. Floricel N. Denopol, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars of Mahayag. 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 BNS; 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 BNS in the context of nutrition program management at the barangay level.
According to the Presidential Decree 1569, the Barangay Nutrition Program shall be strengthened by having a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in every barangay. The Barangay Nutrition Scholar is also mandated by PD 1560 to be a volunteer worker based in the barangay and is in charge of providing nutrition services as well as other related activities like community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay. Through the implementation of the BNS as a support to the Philippine Nutrition Program (now known as the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition), the Barangay Nutrition Program explicitly attempts to create a system or facility for the delivery of basic nutrition and related health services in the barangay.
The training consists of five (5) modules, which are 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 BNS 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 mandated that the Local Government Units shall execute the BNS program through the local nutrition committee (LNC), which will be spearheaded by the local chief executives (LCEs). Additionally, this will not be possible if there will be no active community involvement. Nutrition plans, programs, projects, projects, and activities should also be developed and put into effect at the barangay level through the BNS. The National Nutrition Council Regional Office IX will continue to offer capacity building for local government units on Nutrition Program Management and Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars and local nutrition workers making them champions for Nutrition!
ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND
References:
- PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1569
https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1569_1978.html
