27 October 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council Region X facilitated a Special Meeting of the National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation (NaBNS Fed.), Incorporated – Northern Mindanao Chapter on 20 October 2021. The meeting was a combination of online via Zoom, and face-to-face at The VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. A total of 10 officers attended during the meeting presided by Chapter President BNS Flordeliza S. Gonzales of Iligan City.

Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez expressed her appreciation to all the officers who attended the meeting.

With the success of the National Virtual Dialogue conducted last 4 October 2021, a regionwide conference with the same concept will be conducted to address the familiar clamor among BNSs in the past conferences. Several BNSs expressed that barangay leaders and members of the Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs) need better appreciation on the nutrition programs, and that the appreciation should translate to actual support and investments in nutrition.

One of the agenda during the meeting was the Virtual Regional Conference updates presented by Nutrition Officer I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi. In her presentation, NO I Villasi highlighted the following: 1) presentation of concept note; 2) finalization of Program of Activities; 3) tasking; 4) deadline for the payment of registration fee; and 6) next steps. The activity will serve as a continuation of the previously conducted Nutrition Devolution Dialogue Series in partnership with Department of the Interior and Local Government Region X and the regional counterpart of the Liga ng mga Barangay.

The second part of Day 2 will be dedicated for the BNSs, of which enriching topics to support the nutrition volunteers will be discussed. The induction of newly elected NaBNS Fed., Inc. – NM Chapter Officers will also take place. Entries to the First 1000 Days Jingle Dance Contest will be presented, followed by the launching of the Official Regional BNS Hymn, announcement of contest winners, and closing program.

The second agenda was on the election of a new set of officers for 2022-2024. It was agreed that the current set of officers will be retained, with only the positions of Secretary, Assistant Secretary and one (1) Board Member will be elected due to the appointment of former BNS and Chapter Secretary Puribel Talaroc as the new Nutrition Action Officer of Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Thus, the majority of the officers elected BNS Sheryl U. Lopez of Cagayan de Oro City as the new Secretary, while the BNS superseding Ms. Talaroc as Misamis Oriental BNS Federation President will assume the role as the Assistant Secretary. BNS Eulalia Andoy of Gingoog City, Chapter Board Member, will be replaced once there will be a new appointed BNS Federated President in their LGU.

BNS Officers committed to relay the updates to their respective areas, and to invite their Punong Barangays to the much anticipated Regional Dialogue and Conference this year. (NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi, RND)