ILOILO City – Approximately 1,300 Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) from the province of Iloilo are set to convene for the second Barangay Nutrition Scholar Convention this August 1 and 2 at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel here.
The event, organized by the Iloilo provincial government through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) led by Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, aims to update participants on the nutritional status of the province, inform them about ongoing nutrition programs and initiatives, and engage in discussions with experts on nutrition-related topics to enhance their effectiveness at the barangay level.
Department of Health (DOH) assistant secretary and National Nutrition Council executive director Azucena M. Dayanghirang will serve as the keynote speaker.
The convention, themed “BNS: Bayaning Nutrisyon at Serbisyo, Bida sa Pagsulong ng PPAN tungo sa MoRProGRes ILOILO,” will act as a platform for knowledge sharing and interactive discussions focused on addressing nutrition issues at the grassroots level.
This year’s convention follows the inaugural BNS Convention held on July 11, 2023, which was one of the highlights of the Nutrition Month Celebration, attended by at least 1,500 BNS from around the province. The previous convention provided a venue for capacity development, learning exchange, and networking.
According to data from the PHO, there has been an improvement in the nutritional status of the province over the past three years:
* Underweight cases have decreased from 2.98% in 2021 to 2.44% in 2023.
* Wasting has reduced from 1.58% in 2021 to 1.11% in 2023.
* Stunting figures have declined from 7.46% in 2021 to 4.84% in 2023.
* Overweight rates have dropped from 3.15% in 2021 to 2.26% in 2023.
Dr. Wendel Tupas-Marcelo, Provincial Health Officer I, attributed these improvements to the integrated and comprehensive response and strategies in terms of nutrition programs implemented across the province.
He highlighted the “ART RESPONSE” strategies, which include Adequate Food Production, Rehabilitation of Malnutrition, Training and Capacity Building of Nutrition Workers, Reactivation of Nutrition Committees, and Education to Promote Good Nutritional and Behavior Change.
These strategies are supported by local government units, government agencies, non-government organizations, stakeholders, the private sector, and extend down to the barangay level./PN