Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

4222

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS
(BNS), PROVIDING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, BENEFITS, PROFESSIONALIZATION,
WELFARE, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) are the community-based nutrition workers of the
country. Created under Presidential Decree No. 1569, they are volunteers tasked with
delivering basic nutrition and primary health services, monitoring child growth and
malnutrition, conducting community health education, and mobilizing households to improve
nutrition outcomes at the barangay level.

Over the years, the BNS network has become the backbone of local nlutrition programs.
They are frontliners in implementing national nutrition strategies, assisting the Department of
Health (DOH) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in community-based operations.
They monitor malnutrition cases, ensure compliance with food fortification and salt iodization
laws, and serve as first responders in times of disaster, ensuring that nutrition remains a priority
in relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Despite their indispensable role, Barangay Nutrition Scholars remain among the least
supported in our public health system. Their honoraria are often minimal and inconsistent,
depending largely on the fiscal capacity of barangays. Many serve without adequate insurance
or retirement benefits, and only a fraction receive proper equipment or training to carry out
their tasks effectively.

This bill seeks to address these long-standing gaps by enacting a Magna Carta for
Barangay Nutrition Scholars. It consolidates and institutionalizes their rights and privileges,
ensures minimum honoraria and allowances, mandates PhilHealth, SSS or GSIS, and Pag-IBIG
coverage, and provides retirement gratuity as well as death and disability benefits.


It establishes a National BNS Training Program under the DOH and NNC, with
modules on nutrition program management, maternal and child health, community
mobilization, disaster response, and health promotion. It also creates a Barangay Nutrition
Scholar Welfare Fund for medical assistance, scholarships for dependents, legal aid, and
emergency support. Furthermore, it mandates modemization through the provision of nutrition
kits, weighing scales, digital tools, and communication devices to standardize and improve
frontline nutrition work.

Importantly, the bill provides a career development pathway by granting Civil Service
Subprofessional Eligibility to Barangay Nutrition Scholars who have served at least five (5)
years and completed mandatory training. This transforms BNS service into a stepping stone for
government employment, recognizing the professionalism of their contribution to public
service.

‘The Magna Carta for Barangay Nutrition Scholars is a long-overdue recognition of the
essential role they play in building healthier, stronger Filipino communities. By passing this
measure, we will not only honor their service but also strengthen our national nutrition
programs at the grassroots level.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

RAYMO} 1» SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

4222

HOUSE BILLNO.

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS:
(BNS), PROVIDING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, BENEFITS, PROFESSIONALIZATION,
WELFARE, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title, This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta for Barangay
Nutrition Scholars.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. Itis the policy of the State to recognize the indispensable
role of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in delivering basic nutrition and primary health
services at the community level. The State shall ensure their protection, welfare, and
professional growth, and shall provide adequate support for the effective discharge of their
duties.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar
(BNS) shall refer to the trained volunteer worker appointed by the punong barangay and
deployed under the supervision of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), tasked with
delivering basic nutrition and health services, conducting community-based nutrition
programs, and assisting in monitoring and reporting nutrition-related data in the barangay.

SEC. 4. Rights and Privileges. Barangay Nutrition Scholars shall enjoy the following
rights and privileges:

(a) Legal recognition as community-based nutrition and health workers;

(b) Protection from retaliation, harassment, or undue interference while performing
official duties; and

(c) Access to training, allowances, and welfare programs as provided in this Act.


SEC. 5. Compensation and Benefits.

(@) Honoraria and Allowances. Barangay Nutrition Scholars shall receive minimum
honoraria, transportation, and communication allowances to be provided by the
barangay and augmented by the Department of Health (DOH) and the NNC.

(b) Insurance and Benefits. Barangay Nutrition Scholars shall be covered by the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS) or
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Home Development Mutual
Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund).

(c) Retirement Gratuity. Barangay Nutrition Scholars who have served at least fifteen
(15) years shall be entitled to a retirement gratuity equivalent to one year of honoraria
and allowances.

(d) Death and Disability Benefits. In case of death or permanent disability in the line of
duty, the family or dependents shall receive financial assistance from the Barangay
Nutrition Scholar Welfare Fund established under this Act.

SEC. 6. Training and Professionalization.

(a) The DOH and NNC, in coordination with state universities and colleges (SUCs),
shall establish a National BNS Training Program.

(b) The training shall include nutrition program management, community health,
maternal and child care, disaster response, and health promotion.

(c) Barangay Nutrition Scholars shall undergo initial training within six (6) months of
appointment, and mandatory annual refresher courses thereafter.

SEC. 7. Civil Service Eligibility Pathway. Barangay Nutrition Scholars who have
completed at least five (5) years of continuous and satisfactory service, and who have
completed mandatory training and certification programs under this Act, shall be granted
Barangay Official Eligibility (BOE) equivalent to Civil Service Subprofessional eligibility,
pursuant to the rules of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

SEC. 8. Barangay Nutrition Scholar Welfare Fund. There is hereby created a Barangay
Nutrition Scholar Welfare Fund under the DOH and NNC for:

(a) Medical and hospitalization assistance;
(b) Scholarships for dependents;

(c) Legal assistance in cases filed in relation to official duties; and
(@) Emergency financial aid for injuries or deaths in the line of duty.

SEC. 9. Modernization and Equipment Support. The State shall ensure modernization
of barangay nutrition services through the provision of:


(a) Standardized uniforms and identification cards;
(b) Weighing scales, nutrition kits, and digital tools for data monitoring; and
(©) Communication devices for reporting and coordination.

SEC. 10. Legal Assistance. Barangay Nutrition Scholars shall be entitled to free legal
representation and assistance in all administrative, civil, or criminal cases arising from the
lawful performance of their duties.

SEC. 11. Implementing Mechanism. The DOH, in consultation with the DBM, CSC,
and the NNC, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety
(90) days from its effectivity.

SEC. 12. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act under the budget of the DOH
and the NNC. Local government units are encouraged to provide counterpart funds and

support.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining portions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,