Tanjay City – The Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) as part of their activities during barangay visits also evaluates the skills of health and nutrition workers on weighing and height taking, assessing feeding gaps, and counseling abilities aside from looking into the documents of the Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC). RNET member ND II James Aaron Perez of DOH-NNC 7 together with Tanjay CNC Admin Mitch Capal during their evaluation in Barangay Sto Nino, a hinterland community of Tanjay City on 10 May 2022 also mentors Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) Rezlen Alegarbes and Jenievib Tendencia based on the findings during the skill assessment.
Sto Niño, an outskirt barangay utilizes its land for agricultural, educational, forestral, and other purposes. This mountain barangay with its rolling hills is abundant with fertile land good for planting and root cropping and is a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA). Hence, a spot for nutrition workers to be fully capable to implement their tasks and responsibilities.
BNSs are barangay-based volunteer workers responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay.
The RNET commended Sto Nino BNC for being helpful to their BNSs and supportive of national nutrition laws wherein most policies were adopted. The IEC materials were also evident in the barangay, even their lactation room is covered with breastfeeding materials. Barangay Treasurer Mr. Dexter Ilao together with Barangay Secretary Mr. Bernard Deita proudly informed the team of a budget increase that was given to nutrition and the nutrition programs that were implemented in the year 2021.
2021 was a little challenging for the barangay wherein gatherings were not allowed or limited due to the pandemic. But despite the challenge, the BNC continued its effort to eradicate malnutrition in the barangay. They just need to improve their documentation system and coordinate with the barangay schools for the school data. Overall, the team appreciated the barangay’s supportive council and encouraged nutrition workers to continue the good practice. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez
