A Case Study of Nutrition Situation in

Brgy. Dila, Bay, Laguna

S-1L

Jose Elmo Azores

Ana Clarisse Berceles

Timothy Mendoza

Leticia Meneses

Mark Reblora

______________________
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in HNF 151 to Prof. A.R. Bustos , 2 nd sem, AY 2010-
2011 in Institute of Human Nutrition and Food this February 1, 2010.
I. INTRODUCTION

Dila is a Barangay situated in the center of Bay, Laguna. Having a flat plain
surface, the main means of livelihood in the location is through farming of rice,
rootcrops, vegetable, and corn, with rice as the main crop. The barangay has its own
rice mill and national and communal irrigation. Another main source of livelihood are
livestock and poultry farming with swine as the main, ducks as the second, followed
by chicken, and goat.
As of the last census, Brgy. Dila has a total of 7 Puroks with a household number
of 1,340 and a population of 5,610 of which 91 are zero to five months old infants, 44
are pregnant women, and 52 are lactating women. The most common type of
dwelling unit is wood followed by semi-concrete, barong-barong, concrete and
nipa/bamboo houses. These families mostly get their water supply through artesian
wells followed by waterworks system, deep wells, springs, and lastly open dug wells.
Most households in the barangay have electricity (95%), 10 % of the household have
telephones in their house and 75% use cellphones.
There are government and private schools in Brgy. Dila, these include pre-school
(government and private), elementary (government and private), and high school
(government). The health facilities in the barangay include Health/Nutrition Center
(government) and Medical Clinic (private). In terms of toilet facilities, the most
common is the water sealed, but others have no toilet.
The Brgy. Dila is along the National and Provincial Road, and near the Municipal
and Feeder Road. The most common transport facilities in the barangay are tricycle,
jeepney and buses.
Usually, the sources of income of the people in Brgy. Dila, in order, are
farming/fishing/laborer, self-employed (business), employment in government or
private agencies, overseas contract workers, and being a professional. The main
sources of income of Barangay are share from real state tax, share from development
fund, business and other taxes, and others.
II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of the case study is to have an understanding and

background in community level nutrition. The specific objects are: a) To describe a
structure of the BNC of Brgy. Dila, b) To enumerate the members of the BNC and its
organizational structure, c) To enumerate the functions and roles of the members of
the BNC, d) To discuss the role of BNC in improving the nutrition situation, e) To
assess the functionality of the BNC, f) To explain the role of the Barangay Nutrition
Scholar (BNS), g) To describe the components of BNAP, and f) To describe the
nutrition status of the barangay.
The study is limited to the assessment of nutrition situation of the barangay with
the use of all the data gathered through interview and compilation of files from the
Municipal Nutrition Action Officer and the Barangay Nutrition Scholar.

III. METHODOLOGY

The group went to the Municipal Health Center of Bay and asked for
recommendations on a barangay fit to conduct the case study encompassing the
Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC), Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP),
Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) and the Barangay profile itself. The Municipal
Health Center attendant recommended the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer
(MNAO) who knows more on the regarding subject. In the Municipal Nutrition
Office, the MNAO recommended Brgy. Dila for the study since the BNS in that
location is award-winning and the group can gather reliable and relevant data.
The group secured the necessary letter for permission to conduct such study in
Brgy. Dila. After processing the letter, it was made to be received in the Barangay
Hall (see Appendix for the approved letter). The letter was then presented to the
Barangay Captain and Councilor in charge of Nutrition for assistance. Both the said
officials directed the group to the Barangay Nutrition Scholar of the area since the
BNS has the necessary data the group needed in the study. The date was set for the
 interview for both the BNC and BNS. In the specified dates, the group interviewed
the BNC, BNS, and ten families in the barangay to gather data about the BNAP and
malnutrition problems of Brgy. Dila. After gathering the necessary data, the group
collated, analyzed and prepared a formal case study of the barangay.

IV. RESULTS and DISCUSSION

The Barangay Dila is located within the city of Bay, Laguna. It consists of seven
Puroks. It has a total population of 5,610. The most common occupation in the
barangay is farming/laborer/self-employed. According to the BNS of barangay,
Brgy. Dila is one of the three best barangays in Laguna with good nutrition program.
The barangay has a functional Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) headed by the
Brgy. Chairman, Kgg. Angel Arboleda, and it consist of the co-chairman, Kgg.
Benedicto Olaes, Councilor/Head of the Health Committee, the Barangay Nutrition
Scholar (BNS), Mrs. Edna Curibot and the 10 members.
The BNC ensures that the nutrition situation in the barangay is being monitored.
The BNC also encourages the people in the barangay to be aware in nutrition and also
teach them to be productive to attain food security. The Chairman of the BNC
coordinates with his constituents regarding the programs, projects, or activities held
in the barangay. He must be aware and updated about the program being
implemented, and he must understand the flow of the plan. The Co-Chairman of the
BNC assists and helps the BNS in implementing the projects such as supplemental
feeding, etc. The BNS facilitates all the projects of the BNC and coordinates to other
sectors in implementing all the projects. The BNS heads the weighing, growth
monitoring, soliciting funds from NGO’s, private sectors or individual used for
conducting the nutrition programs. The BNS also participates and serves as a
volunteer in other sectors not just in the campaign for nutrition but also in agriculture,
health and other livelihood trainings and seminars. The members of the BNC help in
planning and executing the projects.
 The BNC of Brgy. Dila is serviceable. The BNC members are active in
participating in planning and conducting the BNAP. They ensure that the programs
are implemented effectively and their constituents avail the services, trainings, and
benefits needed.
The Barangay Nutrition action Plan (BNAP) of the Brgy. Dila is composed of the
BNC organizational strucuture; the history of the Brgy. Dila; the Causal Model which
tells the different problems the community might encounter and the corresponding
solutions; the Nutritional Status in every purok; the Logo of the Barangay; the Map
of the barangay; the BNS Action Plan; the geographical, demographic, socio-
economic, agriculture, and health data, educational, water, communication and
transportation facilities; the barangay situational analysis which states the total
number households with given criteria; barangay nutrition wall chart which states the
past data of the barangay; the objectives which consists of general and specific
objectives; the programs, projects and activities; the quarterly accomplishment of
programs, projects and activities according as per BNAP; last but not the least the
budgetary requirement that states funds and expenses for the projects of the BNC.
Based on the data gathered and according to the BNS interviewed, the nutritional
situation in Brgy. Dila is in good terms. During 2008, 2009 and 2010, 87.2%, 90.8%,
and 89.2%, respectively, are normal pre-schoolers. On the other hand, 91% and 90%
of school age children are normal. Malnutrition is not so prevalent and is not
exceeding 15%. The projects and activities that the BNC conducted truly reach and
assist the people of the barangay in attaining the desired nutritional status through a
holistic approach. Some of the projects and activities stated in the BNAP are home
and community food production, micronutrient supplementation, campaign for food
fortification, nutrition education and trainings, food assistance such as supplemental
feeding, and assistance for livelihood and income generating projects.
However, problems also arise inevitably in all the aspects of the nutritional
schemes. Numerous problems are being encountered by the BNS and BNC such as
budgetary deficits, timing of release of funds, and politics which all affects the
effectiveness of a project in terms of necessity. Corruption and politics, on the other
hand, affect the quality of job and morale of the BNS, official and other volunteers.
 Lack of responsiveness and commitment of constituents affects the relevance of the
projects the BNC organize and as well as the passion and morale of the BNS, BNC
and volunteers. For example the percentage served by intervention programs and
support programs range from 20% to 100%. Due to these lack of responsiveness nad
commitment, when the group interviewed ten random families in the vicinity, they
have very limited understanding on malnutrition. Most of the families treat
malnutrition as only due to the lack of nutrients. Though partially correct, it still
reflects the incomplete grasp of the community in the concept of malnutrition. On the
other hand, BNAP lacks some transparency in terms of monitoring and evaluation
system. Also, the BNAP of Brgy. Dila only focuses on pre-schoolers and school age
children. Other age group should also be given attention. Another problem in the
BNAP was also observed in terms of the implementation schemes, there are
commitment issues on the side of the volunteer members of the BNC which should
assist in doing the projects. Lack of commitment breeds other problems like lack of
man power, funds, and collaboration with other helpful organizations. Though the
BNS and the Councilor in charge of Nutrition are compensating to the lack of
commitment of others, this system is unsustainable if continued to be practiced. The
BNAP is completely reliant to the persons in-charge to implement all the provisions
stated. Without the coordination of every BNC members, BNAP would be useless
and meaningless.

V. RECOMMENDATIONS

Problems in funding and budget for programs could be alleviated through fund
raisings, solicitations, and stronger lobbying in the higher levels. When enough
funding and budget is available, the needed programs are given to people who most
need help in the appropriate time and appropriate way.
The problems in corruption and politics could be reduced if not eradicated
through transparency and involvement of more willing and dedicated private
individuals thereby decreasing the chance for “grand-standing” of certain politicians
and individuals with political aspirations. Also, this problem could be solved if there
is strict implementation being followed in all levels of the community from the
Barangay officials down to simple individuals in the community. If all would be
involved, corruption and political clashes could be monitored and addressed
immediately. The safe guards of the community are community members themselves.
The problem of lack in responsiveness and commitment of the community
members is one of the hardest problem to address since it is rooted to the core values
of individuals and also the mental capacity of individuals to understand the
importance of programs being given. If all would understand the relevance and
significance of programs meant to help improve lives, there would be no problem in
responsiveness and commitment – apathy would not abound. The solution to that
problem should start from rearing from childhood feeding children with the correct
food and correct values. However, for adults the problem is massive. There should be
extensive and regular announcements in the community which regards to relevance
and significance of projects to inculcate in the minds of the people all the points that
should be remembered. Continuous propaganda should be done to solidify the
programs in the mind of the community.
And lastly, the BNAP of Brgy. Dila has problems such as the lack of some parts
which could have given better transparency and understanding to individuals who
need to understand the BNAP. It is recommended that there should be quarterly
extensive meetings to update all what is lacking in the BNAP and to update the
BNAP. The problem in commitment of the implementers of BNAP could be solved
through proper screening measures. A probationary period should first be given to the
members of the BNC to be assessed by the MNAO. If in the probationary period,
members are seen to exhibit certain traits or characteristics implying possible
problems in commitment in the future, the MNAO should have the power to remove
them from the roster. In this way only committed and trust-worthy individuals are left
that can really do the job. The availability of committed members during times of
need defines the cooperation and responsiveness of the Barangay level nutrition.
VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The selected Barangay is Brgy. Dila, Bay, Laguna. A mainly farming community
situated in the heart of the municipality of Bay. The barangay is fairly small in terms
of size and population and the locality is a simple agricultural area. Though the
barangay is aesthetically not pleasant, most of the residents are nutritionally well-fed
as evidenced by the low percentage of malnourished children in the community which
is not exceeding to 15% and more than 85% are normal in the past three years.
The BNAP containing BNC organizational strucuture, the history of the Brgy.
Dila, the Causal Model, the Nutritional Status in every purok, the Logo and Map of
the barangay, the BNS Action Plan, the geographical, demographic, socio-economic,
agriculture, and health data, educational, water, communication and transportation
facilities, the barangay situational analysis, the barangay nutrition wall chart, the
objectives, programs, projects and activities and the budgetary requirement is being
executed by the BNC which includes the Brgy. Captain, Councilor, volunteers, and
the BNS. Though implemented exceptionally well, still problems arise such as budget
and funding deficit, corruption and politics, lack of responsiveness and commitment
of community members, and deficiencies in the BNAP.
The problems in funding and budget could be addressed by fund raising activities.
Corruption and Politics in the Nutrition programs could be minimized or eradicated
through transparency by introducing more dedicated and willing persons to watch
over. The problems in responsiveness and commitment of community members
during out reaches can be addressed by proper rearing and weaning from childhood
and also by stressing the relevance and significance of the programs. And lastly, the
problems in the BNAP could be addressed by extensive and comprehensive quarterly
meetings and by screening the implementers thoroughly to produce dedicated and
committed members and officials in the BNC which implements the BNAP.
APPENDIX