On July 23, 2021, the Provincial Nutrition Office of Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN), together with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), UNICEF, and National Nutrition Council Region 9 has successfully conducted a virtual Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Forum. The event was spearheaded by the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) Nenita Maningo and was participated by 239 BNSs from the cities/municipalities of the province. This BNS Forum aims to increase the awareness on the 47th Nutrition Month Activities focusing on the First 1000 days of the child and to present the 2020 Provincial accomplishments on Operation Timbang and Philippines Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM).

The highlights of the event were the presentation of 2020 Operation Timbang and Philippine Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) Results, 47th Nutrition Month Talking Points, Roles, and Function of Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and Number of Barangay Nutrition Scholars not trained per city/municipality. According to PNAO staff Ariel Espiloa, the prevalence of underweight, stunted, and wasted went down from 2016 to 2021. Total underweight and severely underweight decreased from 7.79 percent from 2016 to 5.61 percent in 2020; stunted from 14.94 percent in 2016 to 9.29 percent in 2020, and wasted from 7.24 percent in 2016 to 3.89 percent in 2020. In the Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte, total new admission of malnourished children (0-59 months old) is 72 and there are 98 children already cured and discharged.

The Health and Nutrition Liason of UNICEF for ZDN Mr. Lemuelle Moninio presented the Nutrition Impact of COVID-19. He reiterated the importance of good nutrition to combat COVID-19 impacts on health. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Health, and Nutrition Programs were affected. These include Operation Timbang, Micronutrient supplementation, deworming, Maternal health services. ZDN-Provincial Nutrition Focal Point of the National Nutrition Council Region IX (NNC9), Ms. Rowence Zorilla, also discussed the importance of the first 1000 Days of child and Policies and Programs that support Nutrition while the Roles and Functions and the Summary Report of the status of untrained BNSs were discussed by ZDN District Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Rhodora Yranela.

-ZDN-PNFP Rowence Zorilla