Tagbilaran City – The Barangay Nutrition Scholars of Buenavista and Catigbian, Bohol hardly hit by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) late last year were given cash assistance by the Association of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators of NNC. The ceremonial turn-over was done during the 19th BNS Summit of the Province of Bohol held on 16 March 2022. The Municipal BNS Association presidents from both municipalities BNS Viola M. Guarte of Buenavista and BNS Marites T. Birad of Catigbian received the assistance who in turn distributed them to their members on the same day.
The Association of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators or the Nutrition Prime Movers Association of the Philippines, Inc. is the official association of the heads of the NNC regional offices of the country and is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
To recall, typhoon Odette swept the province of Bohol which was placed in a state of calamity due to the extent of damage caused by the typhoon. Strong winds and gusty rain from storm damaged hundreds of homes and coronavirus isolation facilities along with rice and cornfields. Houses were torn down, cable lines were out, potable water became a luxury to the locals. A lot of families were misplaced making Christmas and New Year very hard. Based on the initial assessment of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Super Typhoon Odette severely damaged homes, buildings, establishments and government facilities and infrastructure, as well as communication facilities and power lines, all over the province.
The BNSs of Bohol were not excepted from these challenges. Bohol Provincial BNS Association President Irenea Ordinario reported the situation noting that a lot of BNS’ houses were destroyed either partially or totally damaged. The municipalities of Buenavista and Catigbian had the largest numbers of BNSs with totally damage properties. Knowing the situation, the Association of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators of the Philippines under the leadership of its President Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson came to the rescue, generated funds from the 17 Regional NPCs courtesy of its treasurer Carina Santiago to help the affected nutrition heroes. NPC Dr. Mission matched the amount to augment the collected resources.
The BNS-recipients were so grateful for the cash assistance that they received. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez
