Cebu City – As the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll on front line workers and with the looming national and local elections coming up next year, many Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) could not help but feel discouraged and have their sprits dampened with the thought of the unknown future which is why the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars’ Associations 7 has decided to try to lift BNSs spirits up in this year’s Regional Congress of Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
Now on its 17th year, the annual congress which is scheduled on 05 November 2021 at 1:00-5:00 pm shall work around the theme theme “Go BNS! Walay gikahadlokan, pandemya giatubang, saktong nutrisyon panghingosgan!”.
The on-going limitations brought about by the pandemic took an effect on nutrition program implementation at the barangay levels with almost all BNS pulled out of their primary nutrition tasks and deployed in contact tracing, sentinel guards and quarantine duty.
This has led to stalemate in the nutrition situation with magnitude of those that are affected still relatively high, particularly, those who are stunted or chronically malnourished at about 10.2% or 55,172 children 0-59 months (2020 OPT Plus).
Targeting the more than 3200 strong BNSs in the region, the congress is highlighted by a key message by nutrition champion Mayor Maria Esperanza Christina Fiel G. Frasco of Liloan, Cebu and technical discussions on referral system, different forms to use and computer knowledge which are necessary tools to aid in the implementation of nutrition program in their respective barangays.
The congress shall also cover updates about the association via the business meeting and plenary to cover accomplishments from the previous year with the association’s president Mr. Lopito B. Patriomonio of Dumaguete City at the helm.
Following health protocols, the activity shall be conducted online and broadcasted live via the NNC RVII official Facebook page.
The National Nutrition Council Region VII, headed by Dr. Parolita A. Mission serving as the secretariat and technical support to the congress, hopes that with the inputs provided in this year’s congress, BNSs would gains strength in battling against malnutrition. // NO II Nasudi G. Soluta, RND
