Service first for nutrition scholars

In her six years as a Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), Felisa Guilingan never considered the small monthly honorarium she received as an issue.

“What’s more important is that I am able to help my barangay alleviate malnutrition in the area,” said Guilingan, who is called “Feling” by kin and close friends.

Guilingan, a BNS of barangay Guinles, Polanco town in Zamboanga del Norte, was awarded the National Outstanding BNS of 2012 by the National Nutrition Council.

She was cited for helping lower the malnutrition incidence rate in her community specially among underweight preschool children from 8.34 percent in 2011 to 6.12 percent in 2012.

Guilingan continues to disseminate nutrition information in her barangay and oversees programs by the barangay nutrition committee.

Modest
BNSs from all over the Philippines met at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino last Wednesday for the 3rd National Convention of BNSs.

In a press conference, Guilingan encouraged her fellow volunteers to engage in income-generating projects. There are 42,000 scholars all over the country of whom 1,200 are in Cebu.

These volunteers are the frontliners in providing basic health and nutrition services in the communities, in cooperation with the barangay health workers.

A BNS receives a modest monthly traveling allowance from the NNC in Manila, the provincial, city, municipal or barangay. The amount varies depending on a local government’s finances.

Jovita Raval, NNC chief of the nutrition information and education division, said a BNS may receive P50 to P2,500 monthly, with the exception of those in Manila who receive as much as P17,500 per month.

The NNC will be giving an additional P30 monthly for each BNS within this year.

Raval said less than 10 percent of the total BNS population in the country receives no allowance at all. Most, if not all, BNSs spend their own money for travel, and making reports, Raval said.

Appointment
Presidential Decree 1569, enacted by the late president Ferdinand Marcos in 1978, sought to strengthen the barangay nutrition program through the appointment of the BNS.

Under Sec. 6 of the law, a BNS, among others, will receive a travel allowance of P120 a year.  The local government may opt to give more but should not exceed P150.

The LuzViMin BNS Federation, Inc. (LBFI) is now lobbying for lawmakers to amend the nearly 40-year-old decree.

“The reason why there seems to be limited support from LGUs is because they are not fully aware of the role of the delivery of the nutrition program.

The challenge here is to make them more aware,” Dr. Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator, told reporters.