Over a thousand Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) of Region 10 convened during the First Regional BNS Conference organized by the National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation Inc., Northern - Mindanao Chapter held on September 10, 2015 at the Dynasty Court Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. With the theme Sa Tanang Panahon BNS Andam sa Pag-alagad, the conference is aimed to strengthen relationships among the BNSes in the region and increase public awareness on the critical role of BNSes in nutrition improvement in the region.
The highlight of the conference that stirred the crowd was the keynote message delivered by Hon. Marivic R. Montesclaros who was Northern Mindanao’s first National Outstanding BNS awarded in 1996 and now Provincial Board Member of Bukidnon. In her speech which she tagged as “THROW BACK THURSDAY, July 29, 1996”, she described her life as a BNS being full of challenges which she was able to overcome because of commitment and being hands-on in all the activities that a BNS is tasked to do. She also shared that bagging the 1995 NOBNS Award, is a product of true and dedicated service. As old happy memories feel her heart during the Conference, with teary eyes, she read her acceptance speech (the original copy of which she still keeps) which she delivered at the Bureau of Soils (Quezon City) 20 years back.
Hon. Mayor Oscar S. Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City and Hon. Congressman Maximo Rodriguez of Abante Mindanao also graced the Conference who both lauded the dedication of the BNSs, calling them the “new heroes” of the country. They both encouraged them to sustain the job well done and continually help decrease the prevalence of malnutrition in their respective barangays as they contribute to being “One Region in Nutrition”.
The said conference also highlighted the “BNS Got Talent” and the “Search for Mutya ng BNS” which showcased their talents, beauties and intelligence aside from being nutrition prime movers in the community. The Conference was conducted with the support of NNC X and the Regional Nutrition Committee X. hge
