Review of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars Program (BNSP) and PD 1569, volume I: final report

The Barangay Nutrition Scholar Project (BNSP) was launched in 1977 under the Philippine Food and Nutrition Program (PFNP). Its implementing guidelines aims to develop a system or facility for the delivery of basic nutrition and related health services in the barangay [village] through the use of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) to support the Philippine Nutrition Program (PNP). Specifically, the guidelines aim to establish an administrative and supervisors for the BNS; and to develop competencies of the BNS in the areas of planning and organizing, identifying and locating targets, providing basic services and reporting and monitoring. Results of the study revealed that both in medium/low and very high/high areas of underweight prevalence, 98.6 percent were females and only 1.4 percent were males. Similarly, in both areas, the two highest estimated distributions of BNS belonged to high school graduates and college undergraduates. Only few of the BNS were primary graduates. Currently, majority of the BNSs had higher educational attainment than the required in the implementing guidelines. In assessing the relationship between the educational attainment and performance of the roles and responsibilities of the BNS stipulated in the BNSP (Barangay Nutrition Scholar Program) implementing guidelines, aims to develop a system or facility for the delivery of basic nutrition and related health services in the barangay through the educational attainment is significantly moderately associated with the BNS role performance both organizing the BNC, community survey/resurvey and planning as well as identifying and locating targets. Majority of the BNS both in medium/low and very high/high underweight prevalence areas were aware of the BNSP implementing guidelines and PD (Presidential Decree) 1569. Data show that performance of the roles of BNS in organizing the BNC, community survey/resurvey and planning, and providing basic services on nutrition and related health services as well as mental feeding is significantly moderately associated with the awareness on the BNSP the educational attainment is significantly moderately associated with the awareness on the BNSP implementing guidelines. Likewise, in assessing the BNS performance many of the roles and responsibilities stipulated in the BNSP implementing guidelines are found statistically associated with their awareness in on the PD 1569. The role in identifying and locating targets has significantly strong association with the awareness on the PD 1569. The awareness of the BNS on PD 1569 is significantly moderately associated with the performance of the role of the BNS in terms of organizing the BNC, community survey/resurvey and planning, providing basic services on nutrition and related health services, environmental sanitation and food production, and maintenance of monthly record of basic services as well. This means that as the BNSs become more aware of the BNSP implementing guidelines and PD 1569, they can better perform their roles. Results show that the average age of the BNS was 43 years old in both areas. In addition, the average years of service of the BNS was nine years in the medium/low underweight prevalence areas and seven years in the very high/high prevalence areas. Notably, the age and number of years in service of the BNS had no significant relationship with his/her performance of role. Though not related, it can be noted that as BNS, they should be aware of the PD 1569 and BNSP implementing guidelines for them to perform well the mentioned major roles in their respective areas since the guidelines defined the specific roles of the BNS. In terms of monthly allowance, both underweight prevalence areas , the BNS received various amounts from different levels. Furthermore, it was noted that majority of the BNS attended the PST and CEP both in medium/low and very high/high underweight prevalence areas. Based on the key informant interview (KII) results, some NOs [nutrition officers] cited that in earlier years the regional NNC [National Nutrition Council] offices in the medium/low underweight prevalence areas conducted PST [Pre-Service Training]. The importance of awareness of the BNS on the BNSP implementing guidelines is related to the performance of BNS roles in the community. These roles including organizing the BNC (Barangay Nutrition Committee), survey/resurvey of community and planning activities, and providing basic services on nutrition and related health services and mental feeding. The recommendations were presented.