Leyte to hold Annual BNS Convention

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
October 3, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  In keeping the spirit of volunteerism very much alive among Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), Leyte’s barangay-based volunteer workers is set to conduct their Annual BNS Convention at the Leyte SMED Center this October 10.

The provincial government of Leyte under the helm of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla ensures that the convention is held annually in order that BNS’s concerns and welfare will be regularly responded to by the local government units from the barangays up to the provincial level.

According to Maritoni Gorgonia, the province’s nutrition action officer, this year’s annual gathering would have the overriding mission of addressing malnutrition through the able support of the LGU saying "success of nutrition programs is identified by two factors that is political commitment of local officials and community involvement and participation."

She likewise added that the province’s BNS should be lauded for their multi-sectoral and multilevel task in the community despite the common and increasing concern regarding inadequate honoraria and benefits given to them.

The BNSs receive a small amount of incentive from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the barangay and sometimes from the municipality and province, it was learned.

Under Presidential Decree 1569 of 1978, the BNS is a barangay-based volunteer worker who delivers basic nutrition and related health services, and links communities with nutrition and related service providers.

The BNSs is tasked to do regular weighing of preschool children as part of the Operation Timbang (OPT) and determine the nutritional status of these children based on a reference table.

The BNSs also manage supplementary feeding of undernourished children and help out in the conduct of mothers' classes by assisting the trainers and the mother-learners. They also conduct home visits and household surveys regarding births, disabled persons, older persons, newly built houses and transferees and perform various tasks in the barangay health center assisting the midwife.

Meanwhile, Gorgonia added, Barangay Nutrition Scholars are part and parcel in the LGUs drive to achieve an effective strategy to address the urgent call for action in nutritional improvement and to implement and facilitate sustainability of barangay nutrition plans.