Nutrition scholars to be appointed in every barangay in Muntinlupa City

Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon recently signed a municipal ordinance passed by the City Council designating at least one Barangay Nutrition Scholar or BNS for each of its nine barangays to strengthen the city's barangay nutrition program. 

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)

“The BNS Program is one of the Philippine Plan Of Action for Nutrition's human resource development strategies” according to the ordinance based on Presidential Decree No. 1569, which requires the designation of a BNS in every barangay. 

A barangay nutrition scholar is “a barangay-based volunteer worker responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay.” 

"To qualify, a BNS should be  a) a bona fide resident of the barangay for at least four years; b. possess leadership potential and the initiative and willingness to serve the barangay for at least one year; willing to learn and teach what he/she has learned to barangay residents; at least a high school graduate; physically and mentally fit; at least 18 but not more than 65 years old; and willing to report to the health center for the agreed number of hours.” 

The appointment of a BNS is co-terminus with the barangay chairman unless reappointment with the concurrence of the Sangguniang Barangay. 

The duties of a BNS are: 

a. To undergo the required training as required by law;

b. Locates and identifies malnourished children through a community survey called Operation Timbang Plus; 

c. Based on the results of the annual survey, the BNS weighs all undernourished preschoolers monthly;

d. Monitors the growth of all 0-23 month-old children to evaluate if the children are reaching their growth targets according to the accepted child growth standard;

e. Performs quarterly follow-up weighing of children, 24-59 months old, to monitor their growth rate and determine any need for counseling of parents and/or caregivers or referral to appropriate service providers;

f. Engages the community to action by organizing families into clusters or into community-based organizations working and helping the barangay to improve the nutrition situation among the vulnerable;

g. With the barangay master list of wasted, stunted, under and overweight children, pregnant and lactating mothers, the BNS links the people needing nutrition intervention and the barangay service providers 

h. Performs other functions as may be provided by ordinance, law and other CNC mandated policies. (Read original story at: MANILA BULLETIN)

 

“TESDA sa Barangay” program pushed in Soccsksargen (Region 12)

 TESDA Director General Sec. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu (right) 

and TESDA 12 Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar II listen to Sultan Kudarat TESDA stakeholders.

About 17,000 TESDA slots are up for grabs in The “TESDA sa Barangay Program in 1,165 barangays in  the Soccsksargen Region (Region 12), said Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

To start during the opening quarter of 2024, Mangudadatu is planning to open more programs in the barangays and enhance the capabilities of trainers for more Technical Vocational programs.

In his meeting with the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Government, together with TESDA 12 Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar II, Mangudadatu discussed the different activities and plans for the barangays especially the implementation of various programs for the marginalized sectors.

“We will open opportunities for those people who want to have a job or to start a business by bringing our services to their reach,” Mangudadatu said.

He also considered the strengthening of the CTEC or Community Training and Employment Coordinators which is seen as vital support in ensuring the implementation of various TESDA programs.

Community-Based Trainer’s Methodology Course (CBTMC) is one of the TESDA programs to maximize the number of trainers in the region.

In his 10-point agenda, Mangudadatu will prioritize the “TESDA sa Barangay,” “Youthpreneurship,” an efficient and easier way of registering or applying for TESDA scholarship programs and HALAL TVET programs.

“Sultan Kudarat will start the plan because I know we can do it and we can perform the task,” Mangudadatu said.

It will cover thousands of marginalized individuals in the region that will undergo upskilling and reskilling to strengthen employment opportunities. (Source: NDBCNEWS) 

Pasig City Vice Mayor Jaworski leads launching of ‘Talakayan sa Barangay’

Vice mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr. and the 11th City Council led the 'Talakayan sa Barangay' held last Friday at the Barangay hall of San Miguel in Pasig City.

                                                                                

Photo from Facebook Page of Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski

Expected to improve relations between residents and local officials, the Barangay Talakayan is like a townhall meeting wherein the vice mayor and city councilors answer questions, hear requests, and remedy complaints from residents.

It will be held weekly and will continue until the end of the officials’ terms.

The Vice Mayor said the initiative will be an opportunity to hear the residents’ concerns directly and help officials to make their policies more effective and substantial for their constituents.

He added that he and Mayor Vico Sotto do ‘Oplan Kaayusan’ by making the rounds everyday to meet with people in the city and the Talakayan in every barangay facilitates the proper setting to have a dialogue with them. 

To be better prepared in making the rounds of the barangays, officials were asked to make a list of concerns/problems of their residents.