2 December 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation (NaBNS Fed), Inc. – NorMin Chapter with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region X conducted the Virtual 6th Regional Conference for BNSs last 24 November 2021 via Zoom and Facebook Live.
A total of 805 attendees joined the conference composed of barangay officials, BNSs, and local nutrition workers moderated by Ms. Beverly G. Mangubat, City Nutrition Program Coordinator of Valencia City.
This year’s conference theme was “BNS: Tuloy ang Serbisyo kahit may Pandemya, KAYA” crafted by the NaBNS Fed. Inc. NM Chapter President Flordeliza S. Gonzales. The theme focuses on the continued provision of services by the BNSs amid the difficulties and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conference started with Session 1: Benepisyo at suporta para sa Nutrition Heroes by Dr. Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, City Councilor and Chairperson of the Committee on Health, Cagayan de Oro City. Kag. Gaane discussed the Ordinance No. 14031-2021: “An Ordinance providing Guidelines for the Registration and Accreditation of Cagayan de Oro City Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and BNSs; Granting them additional benefits and incentives and for other purposes”. Kag. Gaane shared how the city issued the ordinance that took up 3-4 years of drafting and reviewing, including the meetings held together with the City Health Office staff, president and coordinator of the BHW and BNS. This ordinance is the product of the volunteerism and dedication of the BNSs and BHWs. Kag. Gaane encouraged her fellow policy-makers to institutionalize the position of the volunteer workers so they will remain in service despite the change of elected officials and local leaders.
The second topic was discussed by the Psychosocial Division Head and Resident Psychologist of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Cagayan de Oro City, Ms. Jaymee Q. Leonen, RPsy for the Session 2: Kalusugan ng Kaisipan ni BNS ngayong Pandemya. In her presentation, she focused on the factors, including COVID-19, that can compromise a person’s mental health, when and where to ask for help, and depression. Ms. Leonen shared doable tips to protecting oneself from mental health problems: 1) eat nutritious foods; 2) sleep 6-8 hours daily; 3) exercise regularly; 4) practice breathing and mindfulness; 5) create a daily schedule to follow; 6) take care of your thoughts to yourself; 7) watch the way you communicate to others; 8) foster a stronger sense of connection; 9) practice mindfulness exercise to remain calm and in control; and 10) maintain a gratitude journal. Nutrition is very important for mental health, specifically in the prevention, development and management of diagnosed mental health problems, Ms. Leonen added.
After which, Nutrition Officer I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi presented the set of NaBNS Fed., Inc.-NM Chapter Officers for the year 2022-2024. Officers were inducted by Kag. Gaane.
In between the program, Provincial Nutrition Focal Points Gwyn Y. Balaba hosted the trivia questions worth ₱100.00 and raffle draw worth ₱500.00.
Entries for the First 1000 Days (F1K) Jingle Dance Contest from eight provinces and cities were presented where BNSs danced to the groove of the F1K Jingle released by NNC during the Nutrition Month campaign.
Prior the announcement of winners for the contest, the “BNS Hymn”, the official hymn of the Region X BNS federation was presented. The hymn was composed by Ms. Helen E. Panganiban of Central Mindanao University and an active member of the City Nutrition Committee of Valencia City, Bukidnon. As the song goes, “ang pagiging BNS ay isang sakripisyo, ang kanilang gawain ginawa ng matino. Nagtatrabaho nang tama, walang reklamo para sa kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino” which anchored to this year’s theme.
Oroquieta City was hailed as the 1st Placer for the Dance Contest, followed by the Province of Bukidnon as the 2nd Placer and 3rd Placer to Province of Misamis Occidental. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Placers received a cash prize of ₱5,000.00, ₱3,500.00, and ₱2,000.00, respectively, while finalists received a consolation prize of ₱500.00. Finalists are from the LGUs of Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Malaybalay City, Valencia City, Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental.
Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr., MD, MPH, CESO III of the Department of Health Center for Health Development – Northern Mindanao delivered the closing remarks. He recognized the barangay as the most effective unit of the government. He also expressed his grateful appreciation to all nutrition workers, that despite the spike of COVID-19 in the 3rd quarter of 2021, health and nutrition care services are still being delivered.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez said, “With the Mandanas Ruling, gina-awhag namo ang tanan barangay na mag establish og F1K Program gamit ang dugang pondo ug kinahanglan nga suportado sa lokal nga mga ordinansa, dugangan o i-increase ang coverage sa 90%, ilabina sa unom nga critical interventions sa F1K program, ug subayon ang nutrition program sa barangay. Mag set-up og information system aron masubaybayan ang nutrition outcomes, og dugangan ang budget sa capacity building ug allowances sa BNSs.”
Let us be together again until the next conference, face-to-face! (NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi, RND)