BONTOC, Mountain Province – A Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) from Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province who is making a significant impact on the health and well-being of her community is a Regional Outstanding BNS finalist.
As an awardee, she received cash incentives and a Plaque of Recognition during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held in Baguio City.
Eufemia Miranda received a P8,000 cash incentive from the National Nutrition Council – Cordillera Administrative Region (NNC-CAR) and an additional P3,000 from the Department of Health (DOH) –CAR.
She received her award, together with Sangguniang Bayan member Julian Chumacog and Midwife Pascuala Fantiyao who is also the Barangay Nutrition Action Officer of Samoki.
Miranda, a dedicated BNS has been serving the barangay for 17 years, working tirelessly to implement health and nutrition programs and activities for the constituents. Per a write-up published by the NNC-CAR, Miranda, who has a vision of achieving zero malnutrition in the community, has implemented various strategies to address the issue. One of her notable initiatives, along with fellow BNS conducting house-to-house visits, where she actively communicates with parents of children under five. During these visits, she emphasized the importance of participating in regular weighing and height measurements to ensure the health and development of their children. She goes above and beyond by even accompanying children to the clinic to ensure 100% participation.
Recognizing the significance of proper nutrition, she also collaborated with the Sangguniang Kabataan of Samoki to secure funding for a 120-day feeding program for underweight children from kindergarten to Grade III. This program not only focuses on providing nutritious meals but also aims to improve the nutritional status and boost the energy levels of children in school.
In her efforts to combat malnutrition, Miranda promotes the idea of backyard gardening. She actively coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture to provide seedlings to families with malnourished children, encouraging them to grow their nutritious fruits and vegetables.
This Barangay Nutrition Scholar goes beyond her official duties by taking the time to talk to mothers and discuss the importance of the first 100 days, a crucial period of a child’s development. She believes that providing education and support to parents during this critical phase can have a long-lasting positive impact.
Further, BNS Miranda actively participates in various community gatherings and willingly volunteers to lead discussions on important health and nutrition topics, sharing her knowledge and inspiring others to prioritize the well-being of their families. Her unwavering dedication, passion and commitment, to achieving zero malnutrition is a testament to her genuine concern for the welfare of her community. Her exemplary work serves as an inspiration to others, showing the power of one’s efforts in creating a healthier and more nourished society.
For this community health worker, she credited this recognition to her family and the members of the Barangay Nutrition Committee for their unending support.