TACLOBAN CITY — “A Barangay Nutrition Scholar Day and Awarding Ceremony” culminated the month-long celebration activities of the 43rd Nutrition Month held at the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Center, here on July 27, 2017.

Lydia C. Nuñez, president of Eastern Visayas Association of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (EVA BNS) Inc., headed a following of 63 Barangay Nutrition Scholars–five each from the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and Southern Leyte, 25 from the host province of Leyte; and five each from the seven cities in Region 8 to the one-day gathering studded with serious and fun activities.

National Nutrition Council Region 8 (NNC-8) Regional Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo Jr. in his welcome message called the congregation a powerful workhorse and warriors in the barangay against malnutrition. This is your day! and my challenge is for you to put your heart in providing voluntary service and to continue being the front-line warriors on nutrition, he said.

Leyte Board Member Bob Abellanosa, who represented Gov.Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, disclosed that in line with improving the nutrition status of the Leyteños, the province is into training of constituents in the rural areas on hybrid farming under “Mic Farming” program on which many have already graduated. Likewise he said that the Province of Leyte will take actions for the realization of its people adopting healthy diets and lifestyle–especially our children, who are to become the future of this province.

Niño Archie S. Labordo, NNC-8 Nutrition Officer III, presented the Nutrition Month theme “Healthy diet, gawin habit: FOR LIFE” and Ullasini J. Pangan, NNC-8 Nutrition Officer II, the MUAC Orientation.

The BNS fun activities were a Poster Making Contest – with six entries, a Cooking Contest – five contestants, a Siday Contest – five competitors and a Nutri Quiz – 12 contenders.

The Awarding Ceremony included the presentation of certificates and prizes for the BNS Day contests winners and also the month-long contests namely: Nutri Jingle, Nutri Comiks, Nutri Photo Contest–all of which depicting the 43rd Nutrition Month theme. (Jack C. Gadaingan)