Tagbilaran City – The Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars Association Region 7 (FeBaNuSA 7), Inc. gave calamity assistance to Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) greatly affected by the onslaught of Sper Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) that hit the region on the fateful day of 16 December last year. The ceremonial turn-over was held on 16 March 2022 at the Bohol Wisdom School, Tagbilaran City during the 19th BNS Summit of the Province of Bohol.
NPC Dr. Parolita A. Mission of the NNC 7 led the endorsement. The cash assistance was received by Bohol Provincial BNS Association President Ms. Irenea B. Ordinario and Bohol Provincial Health Officer Dr. Cesar Tomas M. Lopez.
A total of 335 BNSs regionwide whose houses were totally damaged received the financial aid pooled from the funds of the Federation. Support from the Regional Association of NPCs in the Philippine or Nutrition Prime Movers Association of the Philippines, Inc. Of the total 335 nutrition workers, 209 came from Bohol, 111 from Cebu, and 15 from Negros Oriental.
Barangay Nutrition Scholars are vital human resources for nutrition in the country most significantly being the nutrition front-liners in their assigned areas. But when typhoon Odette struck the region, the affected residents including BNSs lost their homes and properties as well as their much-protected BNS kits and CGS tools. The affected people compromised access to safe water and sanitation facilities, heightening the risk of communicable disease outbreaks. Many stricken populaces were subsisting on springs and hand pumps for water, many of which are reported to have been contaminated by flood and sea waters. However, despite the challenge, the BNSs bounced back and continued delivering nutrition services during disasters.
Looking into the welfare of its members, the FeBaNuSA 7, Inc., the regional association of BNS Federations in Central Visayas pitched in and provided the much-needed assistance to greatly affected BNSs of which the recipients were very appreciative. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez
