RDC-7 endorses Magna Carta for barangay health workers

CEBU, Philippines - The Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) has recently endorsed the recommendation of Regional Nutrition Council (RNC) making the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) as mandatory plantilla position with benefits in every barangay.

The RDC endorsed that the recommendation be incorporated in various bills now pending in Congress on the proposed Magna Carta for BNS.

The RDC-7 identified the Magna Carta for BNS as one of its Social Sector Priority Action Agenda and assigned the RNC to formulate a discussion paper on the matter.

In the discussion paper, RNC cited that BNS position is provided for under Presidential Decree 1569 whose primary responsibility is the delivery of nutrition services in the barangays.

The BNS hold an unstable position since they are political appointees and they have minimal compensation.

There are currently four bills in Congress introducing amendments to PD 1569 authored by Representatives Angelo Palmones and Roger Mercado; and Senators Ramon Revilla, Jr. and Loren Legarda.

The RNC recommendations to RDC include making BNS a mandatory position in every barangay and shall be appointed by the local chief executive of the local government unit funding the BNS.

The BNS must at least be a high school graduate and must render voluntary work for a period of six months but shall be entitled to a training stipend, traveling allowance and monthly allowance.

The BNS shall be given the opportunity to pursue higher education with the National Nutrition Council crafting the guidelines for the program and shall be granted a sub-professional civil service eligibility after completing at least two years of continuous and satisfactory service.

In a resolution, the RDC endorsed the said recommendations of RNC and to request the concerned lawmakers to incorporate these recommendations in their respective bills on BNS. (FREEMAN)