The Province of North Cotabato holds the 2nd Gov. Lala Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress 2013 last November 27 – 28, 2013. The congress aims to help recognize the importance of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in the implementation of nutrition programs province-wide, improve their skills, and address issues and concerns. It also aims to build camaraderie and boost the morale of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars. There were about 600 Barangay Nutrition Scholars from the 18 municipalities in the province attended the said congress including Kidapawan City. The said activity was supported by no less than Gov. Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza, who is very supportive to nutrition programs/projects implemented by the province.

One of the learning sessions lined up was the presentation and discussion of the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos. They invited the National Nutrition Council XII to present the Ten (10) revised messages in the NGF. There’s a new set of messages under the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos. This was formulated by a technical working group composed of experts from various fields and organized by DOST-FNRI. The guidelines have been approved by the NNC Governing Board on 31 October 2012. Unlike the 2000 guidelines, the 2012 guidelines include the reasons for the food-based behavior. The objective of this is to improve the dietary and related health practices of Filipinos towards improving the nutrition situation.

After the presentation, the delegates pledged their commitment to support especially in the promotion and dissemination as well as to practice these messages.