September 27, 2021 -The Regional Barangay Nutrition Scholar(BNS) ONSE Federation Officers gathered for the 2nd Regional meeting for this year. The National Nutrition Council XI staff with Regional Program Coordinator Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson facilitated the virtual meeting via google meet.
The meeting agenda includes some updates on the 2022 BNS ONSE Plans, Projects, & Activities, the rundown of the newly approved 2021 RNC resolutions highlighting Resolution No. 7 Series of 2021, BNS Regional Evaluation, Issuance of BNS ID-CARDS, Status of the BNS Onse Funds, and other matters.
Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson first presented to the BNS officers the compensation the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) which can be claimed if proven the BHWs acquired COVID-19 during their render of service. Part of this presentation is the application process, the necessary documents needed, and the amount of compensation depending on the severity of the COVID case. Aside from this, Dr. Ungson informed the BNS ONSE officers that the National Nutrition Council Central Office is already discussing the matter with the Department of Health (DOH) to include the BNS in these benefits.
BNS ONSE President Jocelyn Lumaad discussed with the officers their plans for the BNS conference next CY 2022. The members also discussed their concerns of the BNSs at the local level and their call to action in the barangays. BNS President encouraged the members to join the Nutrition Dialogue with Punong Barangays this October 4 in order for the members to have an insight into the upcoming plans of the local barangay leaders next year.
NO2 Jickain presented the newly approved 2021 RNC resolutions highlighting the Resolution No. 7 Series of 2021 “Creation and Strengthening the Implementation of Nutrition Programs in the Local Government Units (LGUs) in line with Executive Order 138, the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling”. The resolution calls attention to the following: the creation of Nutrition Offices in the LGUs, expansion of Local Nutrition Offices through appointing Registered Nutritionist Dietitians and Barangay Nutrition Scholars; increased allowances of the BNS, and as well as the local budget for the nutrition offices and staff for the proper implementation of nutrition-specific and sensitive programs.
NO2 Jickain also presented the proposed organizational charts of the nutrition staff in the Nutrition offices in the Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities. The Roles and Functions of the BNSs in the nutrition offices were also discussed by NO2 to the officers.
OIC-NOIII Alona E. Teo presented to the officers the updates on the BNS Regional Evaluation in which only Davao Del Sur and Davao De Oro have submitted an entry for the Regional Outstanding BNS.
NOI Mantua also presented to the officers the information on the issuance of the BNS Identification Cards for this year. She urged the officers to to participate accordingly in the data gathering.
The meeting ended with a closing message from the BNS ONSE Federation President Jocelyn Lumaad.
/NOI Yola Mantua
