NNC hosts BNS confab in Bohol starting today

Around 1,500 Barangay Nutrition Scholars in Central Visayas will converge in Bohol starting today for a two-day conference.

The BNS 14th Conference is organized by the National Nutrition Council-7 together with the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars' Associations-7 Inc. It is aimed to mobilize the nutrition scholars in the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 in their respective barangay.

It is expected to be discussed during the conference the roles of BNS in the PPAN 2017-2022 and how to align the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan with the PPAN and Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition, demonstrate how to assess acute malnutrition and identify action points in referring acute malnutrition cases, as well as clarify issues and queries on the various aspects of the BNS program.

The PPAN serves as the framework to guide stakeholders on how to contribute to improve nutrition of the country.

The conference also serves as a venue to discuss organizational concerns and updates regarding the National and Regional BNS Federation.

This year's conference has a theme, "BNS, Bayani ng Nutrisyon, Noon, Ngayon at Bukas!"

Department of Health Assistant Secretary and NNC executive director Maria Bernardita T. Flores will be the guest speaker. Also expected to attend the gathering are Bohol Governor Edgardo M. Chatto and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap II.

The BNS program started 40 years ago through P.D. 1569. The law was promulgated to improve the implementation of barangay nutrition program through the deployment of at least one BNS in every barangay.