BUTUAN CITY– After a long year of being a barangay nutrition scholar (BNS), this is our first to be oriented with our roles and functions as BNS, shared by a BNS in Taganaan during the meeting and orientation of the BNSs with the National Nutrition Council Caraga on 8 November 2022 at the Municipal Conference, Municipal Building, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte.

The BNSs in 14 barangays of Taganaan are now under the supervision of the Rural Health Unit with a designated Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) after it was under the Office of Municipal Social Welfare and Development.

NNC Caraga Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Nino Archie S. Labordo provided the background and legal mandate of the BNS under the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Program of the Presidential Decree 1569.

The trained community worker has to provide basic nutrition and related heath-related services in the barangay as provided in the law.

Meanwhile, Development Management Officer II Raphael P. Ochavo shared the requirements of the BNS who would apply for the BNS Civil Service Eligibility.

Under PD 1569, BNS eligibility shall be granted to barangay-based volunteer workers for rendering at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory nutrition services and other related activities, to include community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the area covered of the function.

In Taganaan, the BNSs are provided with an honorarium from the municipality and the barangay.

Ms. Collen Grace Litang, the new MNAO designate is happy that there are developments for the BNSs in terms of knowledge and skills necessary for them to function in the community. #NASLabordo