As part of the continuing implementation of the Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) program in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Dionisio, Iloilo, the Community Outreach Program–BIDANI (COP-BIDANI) formally turned over the BMIS Family Data Sheets (FDS) to the said municipality on September 17, 2026.
The activity was made possible through funding support from the Public Service Grant of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), which supports initiatives that strengthen university-community partnerships and contribute to responsive public service.
The FDS forms were received by Ms. Mary Bernadette Albaña, Municipal Planning and Development Officer, and by Ms. Sarah Mae A. Lachica, a representative from the Office of the Mayor.
A total of 1,010 sets of the 14-page BMIS Family Data Sheet were provided to the municipality for use in the upcoming rollout of community-level data gathering activities across its barangays.
Localizing the BMIS Family Data Sheet
Prior to the turnover, training for the BMIS enumerators was conducted in July 2026. The training and subsequent pilot testing provided an opportunity for the project team and local implementers to review the original BMIS Family Data Sheet.
Based on the feedback gathered during the pilot testing and consultations, additional questions were incorporated into the original questionnaire to better respond to the specific information needs and local context of San Dionisio.
Among the additional areas included in the localized questionnaire are seaweed farming, tourism, and additional health-related information. These additions are intended to provide the LGU with more relevant data on the livelihood, community, and health conditions of families in the municipality.
The localization of the FDS demonstrates the importance of adapting data-gathering tools to the realities and priorities of individual communities while maintaining the core objectives of the BIDANI program.
Strengthening Evidence-Based Local Planning
The BMIS FDS serves as an important tool for gathering family and community information that can contribute to a better understanding of local conditions. Through systematic data collection, the LGU can develop a more comprehensive picture of the needs and circumstances of its constituents.
Following the distribution of the printed FDS, UPV COP-BIDANI will also work toward updating the BMIS web application to reflect the newly localized questionnaire. This will help facilitate the subsequent encoding, management, and utilization of the information gathered from the field.
Continuing the BIDANI Partnership
The turnover of the BMIS Family Data Sheets represents another milestone in the partnership between COP-BIDANI and the Municipality of San Dionisio. It builds on the earlier enumerator training and pilot testing activities and moves the municipality closer to the full implementation of its localized BMIS.
As the LGU begins the survey rollout, preparations will also continue for the training of LGU encoders, targeted for the third week of November 2026.
Through the collaborative efforts of the university, the BIDANI network, and the local government, the program seeks to strengthen the capacity of San Dionisio to generate and use community-based data in addressing local development and nutrition concerns.
Written by Elna Mariel M. Nanta-Dioso, COP-BIDANI
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