Law Summary
Definition and Duties of Barangay Nutrition Scholar
- The BNS is a volunteer worker based in the barangay.
- Responsibilities include delivering nutrition services, community health promotion, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning awareness.
Service Commitment
- BNS must serve voluntarily for a minimum of one year while continuously learning and contributing to the community.
Qualifications for Barangay Nutrition Scholar
- Must be a bona fide barangay resident for at least four years and fluent in the local dialect.
- Should possess leadership qualities, initiative, willingness to serve for at least one year.
- Must be willing to learn and transfer knowledge to the community.
- Minimum educational attainment is primary school graduate.
- Must be physically and mentally fit.
- Age requirement: 18 to 60 years old.
Recruitment Process
- Recruitment exclusively from within the barangay.
- Candidates undergo testing for mental ability and appropriate work attitude.
Benefits and Incentives
- After two years of satisfactory service, the scholar gains civil service eligibility equivalent to second grade.
- Entitled to a training stipend, kit, and travel allowance of at least PHP 120 per year.
- May receive additional municipal allowances, not exceeding PHP 150 per month.
Training Requirements
- Pre-service training of ten days covering nutrition, health, food production, and sanitation.
- Training conducted by provincial teams in coordination with municipal and barangay nutrition committees.
- Follow-up 20-day practicum at the assigned barangay supervised by a local training team.
Nutrition Committees and Program Oversight
- Provincial/City Nutrition Committee headed by the Governor/City Mayor oversees the program regionally.
- Municipal Nutrition Committee chaired by the Mayor supervises municipal-level operations.
Local Training Team
- Constituted of two members from the Municipal Nutrition Committee.
- Responsible for following up on BNS activities and ensuring effective implementation.
Roles and Responsibilities of Local Officials
- Provincial Governor/City Mayor: Overall program responsibility; may propose budget allocations.
- Municipal Mayor: Initiates project activities, organizes local training teams, and may recommend local budget for scholars' allowances.
Staff Secretariat
- Established in each province/city to monitor program progress, diagnose problems, and recommend solutions.
National Nutrition Council's Functions
- Develops rules, regulations, plans, and programs for effective implementation.
- Allocates project funds to provinces and agencies in line with the financial plan.
Acceptance of Donations
- NNC and local governments may accept grants, donations, gifts, or bequests to support the program.
- Such contributions are tax-exempt.
Appropriation and Funding
- Authorizes an initial appropriation of PHP 1,000,000 from the National Treasury or Special Activities Funds for program startup and operation.
- Local government units are authorized to allocate additional funds necessary to ensure program success.
Effectivity
- The decree takes effect immediately upon issuance.