2006 BNS Congress held

By RACHEL ANN M. VILLEGAS, KIMRO
July 19, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Realizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to curb the growing malnutrition problem in Tacloban City, the City Nutrition Office (CNO), through the dynamic leadership of CNO-OIC Malu P. Tabao together with the City Government of Tacloban, recently concluded the 2006 BNS Congress, bearing this year’s theme: “Kumain ng RIGHT, para maging batang BRIGHT”, specifically focusing on the “New Trends and Challenges”, Monday, July 17, 2006.

The Congress was actively participated by 102 Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) who served as the front liners in promoting proper nutrition and feeding practices among infants and school children.

National Nutrition Council (NNC) Program Coordinator Carina Z. Santiago, imparted her knowledge and expertise on the Role of the BNS in promoting the Right Food for the Bright Child. She disclosed that hunger and malnutrition are serious global health problems and afflicts millions of Filipinos especially the school children. “Twenty-six (26%) is the prevalence rate of malnutrition among school children ages ranging from 6-10”.

The role of BNS on this challenge is to disseminate nutrition information to the barangay level and they are deployed in more areas in the city to reach out to the more malnourished children. Significantly it is the role of BNS to advocate nutrition program and strategies to the community.

New trends and updates on Food Fortification Program was discussed by Ms. Emily Grande (DOH), to create greater awareness among our people of the value and importance of proper nutrition. The National Nutrition Council (NCC) has issued Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF). It advises the public to eat a variety of food – fish, lean meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products; use iodized salt, have regular exercise, and avoid smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages

The City Nutrition Council, chaired by the City Mayor, Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez, stepped up its efforts by initiating partnership with the NNC and the LGU for joint feeding and nutrition programs in such areas in Tacloban City.