BORONGAN CITY - The National Nutrition Council Region 8 has started the five-day Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Training Course in Borongan City on May 16, 2022.

The activity, funded by the local government unit, will run until May 20.

Five technical staff from NNC8 headed by RNPC Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr, is leading the training, assisted by CNAO Jassie Acla-Alegre and her staff.

This activity aims to capacitate BNS with basic knowledge and skills, as well as core values and traits that are necessary for them to perform their roles and functions effectively.

The BNS Program is a human resource development strategy of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, which involves the recruitment, training, deployment, and supervision of volunteer workers called the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).

Presidential Decree No. 1569 (1979) mandated the deployment of at least one (1) BNS in every barangay in the country to monitor the nutritional status of children and other nutritionally at-risk groups and link them with nutrition and nutrition-related service providers.

PD 1569 also mandated the NNC to administer the program in cooperation with local government units. #PNFP-GAS