VIGAN CITY – Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSS) and other nutrition stakeholders were apprised with current and new updates through a series of discussions focused on nutrition promotion to strengthen their roles as frontliners at the local level during the 4th Regional BNS and D/CNPC Congress held at the Vigan Convention Center, this city recently.
Hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur in coordination with the National Nutrition Council-ROI and the LuPang Ilocos BNS Federation, Inc., around 1,200 BNSs, District/ City Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/CNPCs) and other nutrition stakeholders attended said Congress with the theme: “LuPang Ilocos D/CNPCs and BNSs: Together in Building Bridges and Overcoming Challenges!”
In her welcome message which was read by Councilor Kristen Figuerres, Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina said Vigan City officials recognize and appreciate the essence of nutrition in a healthy and disaster resilient community.
She went on to say that in the ensuing years, she continuously strengthened the city’s nutrition programs as one of the cornerstones of her administration and that they crafted a nutrition plan that served as their guide which resulted in the city becoming a consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition.
Medina said that a local government unit can never succeed minus a healthy and physically fit constituency; that is why they adhere to a healthy lifestyle and strive to serve as examples of well-nourished individuals.
She said the city government championed the breastfeeding advocacy through breastfeeding rooms in the city hall and the public market; supplementary feeding, planting of vegetables and fruitbearing trees in backyards of families with malnourished children.
In his message, Gov. Ryan Luis V. Singson, Chairperson of the Ilocos Sur Nutrition Committee said that the Congress is a great opportunity to strengthen the camaraderie among the frontliners in the region.
“Together let us continue to make a difference,” he added.
Dr. Cecilia Acuin, Chief Science Research Specialist of the FNRI-DOST, and keynote speaker of the event, presented the result of the 8th National Nutrition Survey Region I in Focus conducted last year.
“Let’s intensify the implementation of our IYCF Program particularly the mobilization of the community to reach out all pregnant and lactating mothers for nutrition counseling,” she said.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Ma. Eileen Blanco presented the role of BNSs in Nutrition in Emergencies.
Several topics were also discussed like the WHO-Child Growth Standards by Kendall Gatan of NNC-ROI and the Vigan City Good Practices on Nutrition.
After the technical discussions, a general assembly for BNSs and D/CNPCs was conducted followed by the coronation of Miss Nutrition 2014 in the person of Ms. Bing Andrada, DNPC of La Union. # (Adapted, Tawidnews)
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