Cebu City – Mrs. Christie L. Renoblas of Barangay Buenos Aires, Tubigon, Bohol bested all the other 16 provincial and City Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars and won the much coveted Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar award. Her efforts were recognized during the 8th Regional NAO Congress and 2012 Grand Nutrition Awards held on 03 August at the City Sports Club Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. She received the ROBNS trophy and a cash award worth Php 12,000.00.
A Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) is a barangay-based nutrition volunteer tasked to care for the malnourished of the barangay, mobilize the community to improve its nutrition situation and link services to the vulnerable groups of the community. The BNS is also a member of the Barangay Nutrition Committee and the Community Health Team. The Search for the Regional Outstanding BNS is done by the inter-agency Regional Evaluation Team that aims to assess the performance of the BNS and recognize those with exemplary performance in the delivery of basic nutrition and related services in his/her barangay.
By religiously doing her responsibilities like monitoring the weight of children, nutrition counselling and assisting in activities in the barangay health station, Ms. Renoblas’ wish of zero malnutrition in her barangay became a reality. Backed by Buenos Aires Barangay Nutrition Committee and the strong support from the Barangay Chief Executive, she was able to initiate Pig Dispersal project, Palayan sa Nutrisyon and establishment of the BNC Garden.
Because of Ms. Renoblas’ actions and the BNC’s support, there has been no incidence of underweight and overweight among pre-school and school children in her barangay. Her strategies were active campaigning for exclusive breastfeeding for children 0-6 months old and appropriate complementary feeding after 6 months while continuing breastfeeding, enthusiastic conduct of Pabasa sa Nutrisyon among mothers, consciously steering caregivers for good caring practices and strong drive among families for planting vegetables in their own backyards.
Ms. Renoblas hopes to continue to regularly monitor the nutritional status of the children in her barangay especially those nearing the borderline and give immediate and appropriate intervention and serve truthfully the citizens of Barangay Buenos Aires to maintain the zero incidence of malnutrition in her barangay. // DFB
