Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1569)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1569 is to strengthen the Barangay Nutrition Program by providing for a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in every barangay and to provide funds and support for this initiative.
The Barangay Nutrition Program under this decree is administered by the National Nutrition Council.
A Barangay Nutrition Scholar is responsible for delivering nutrition services and related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay.
The service is on a voluntary basis for at least a period of one year, although some allowances and stipends are provided.
Qualifications include: being a bonafide resident in the barangay for at least four years with the ability to speak the dialect, leadership potential, willingness to serve for at least one year, willingness to learn and teach, at least a primary school graduate, physical and mental fitness, and aged between 18 and 60 years old.
The scholar is recruited from within the barangay and shall be tested on mental ability and proper work attitude.
They are granted a civil service eligibility equivalent to second grade after two years of continuous service, a training stipend, kit, travel allowance of at least P120.00 per year, and additional allowances by the municipality not exceeding P150.00 a month.
They undergo a ten-day training on topics such as nutrition, health, food production, environmental sanitation, and a twenty-day practicum in their assigned barangay.
The Provincial/City Nutrition Committee headed by the Governor or City Mayor, respectively, is responsible for the program implementation.
The Municipal Mayor initiates activities for implementation within the municipality, organizes local training teams, and may recommend appropriations for local counterpart allowances for the Barangay Nutrition Scholar.
Yes, the National Nutrition Council and local governments are authorized to receive grants, donations, gifts, or bequests from various government agencies and corporations which are tax exempt.
One Million Pesos is appropriated from available funds of the National Treasury or Special Activities Funds for the organization and initial operation of the program.
It signifies that after two years of satisfactory service, the scholar is recognized with a civil service eligibility equivalent to second grade, which may serve as a qualification for government employment.
The Provincial Governor or City Mayor heads the Provincial or City Nutrition Committee.
The decree authorizes local governments to appropriate amounts necessary for the successful implementation of the program, including additional allowances for Barangay Nutrition Scholars.