IETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B.No, 2889

Introduced by Congressman Angelo Palmones

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No. 1569 was issued in 1978 to address the prevailing conditions of
malnutrition in the country. It aimed to tackle malnutrition concerns, specifically in the
grassroots level, by initiating a project that will provide a nutrition worker for every
barangay

Though said law considerably contributed to the significant reduction of malnutrition
in the country, at present the number of malnourished children is still at an alarming level. It
is therefore necessary to examine the implementation of the above mandate for the country to
have a well-nourished population — one that would contribute to the national economic
welfare.

In recognition of the above, this bill seeks to create a mandatory position of Barangay
Nutrition Worker in every barangay. A salient feature of the bill is the enumerated
qualifications of said nutrition workers, requiring them to be at least a high school graduate.

In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGELO PALMONES
Representative, PL-AGHAM


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OFTHE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B.No. 2889

Introduced by Congressman Angelo Palmones

STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLAR PROGRAM (BNSP),
PROVIDING INCENTIVES THERETO, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECR NO. 1569

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. Presidential Decree No. 1569 entitled "Strengthening the Barangay
Nutrition Program by providing for a Nutrition Scholar in Every Barangay" is hereby

amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. BARANGAY NUTRITION PROGRAM. To strengthen the
Barangay Nutrition Program, there shall be CREATED under the administration and
SUPERVISION of the NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL IN COORDINATION
WITH THE CITY or MUNICIPALITY and the BARANGAY, ONE (1) MANDATORY
POSITION OF BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLAR OR WORKER IN EVERY
BARANGAY WITH A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE
THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) :

SECTION 2. BARANGAY NUTRITION WORKER. The Barangay Nutrition
Worker shall be APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE
MAJORITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OR THE
SANGGUNIANG Panlunsod, THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY CONCERNED,
AND THE LOCAL NUTRITION COMMITTEES DECIDED IN AN ASSEMBLY.. The


barangay nutrition worker shall be responsible for delivering nutrition services and
other related activities such as community health, backyard food production,
environmental sanitation, culture, supplemental feeding and family planning to the

barangay.

SECTION 3. SERVICES. The barangay nutrition worker, while working
continuously learn under this program, shall serve the barangay on a voluntary basis
for at least [a period of one year] SIX MONTHS. THEREAFTER, THE LOCAL
NUTRITION COMMITTEES, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DISTRICT/CITY
NUTRITION PROGRAM COORDINATOR SHALL ASSESS —HIS/HER
PERFORMANCE AND MAKE THE NECESSARY RECOMMENDATION FOR
HIS/HER APPOINTMENT, TERMINATION, AND RENEWAL OF CONTRACT
SHOULD BE BASED ON PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY THE
D/CNPC AND THE REGIONAL EVALUATION TEAM.

SECTION 4. QUALIFIC;

TION. The qualifications of a Barangay Nutrition

Worker shall be as follows:

a. Bonafide resident of the barangay for at least one (1) year, with ability to speak the

dialect;

b. Possession of leadership potentials and the initiative and willingness to serve the

barangay (for at least one year);
¢. Willingness to learn and to teach what he/she learned to the barangay people;
d, Atleast a HIGHSCHOOL. graduate;
¢. Physical and mental fitness; and
f. Atleast eighteen (18) years old but not more than sixty (60) years old.

SECTION 5. RECRUITMENT. The Barangay Nutrition Worker shall. be

recruited from within the barangay and shall be tested on mental ability and proper


work attitude, The D/CNPC shall coordinate with the Barangay Nutrition Committee
(BNC) in the recruitment and selection of BNS. Names of qualified BNSs shall be
forwarded to the Mayor through the Nutrition Action Officer, and decided and
appointed upon by in concurrence with the majority of all SBs/SPs in an assembly
called by the local nutrition committee. Once approved, the names shall be forwarded

to the Civil Service Commission for appointment.

SECTION 6. TRAINING. Before actual barangay service, the barangay nutrition
worker shall undergo a ten-day (10) training on selected topics such as nutrition,
health, food production and environmental sanitation - based on defined task
expectations to be conducted by a provincial training team in coordination with the
municipal and barangay nutrition committee. This training shall be supplemented by a
twenty-day (20) practicum to be conducted in the barangay where the worker is
assigned, and such activity shall be in coordination with the local training team

Whenever necessary, an annual refresher course shall be given to existing, BNSs.

SI

TION 7. BENEFITS. The Barangay Nutrition Worker shall be entitled to a
training stipend, meal and travel allowance of at least P250.00 a day prior to
deployment as volunteer. DURING THE PERIOD OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE, THEY

SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALLOWANCE OF AT LEAST TWO THOUSAND PESOS

(P2,000.00) A MONTH. A certain amount shall be provided for building capacities of
the BNW.

The Barangay Nutrition Worker shall be granted a civil service eligibility equivalent to
second grade after the completion of at least two (2) years of continuous and

satisfactory service in the barangay

SECTION 8. INCENTIVES. TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE PROGRAM, THE
NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL, IN| COORDINATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SHALL. FORMULATE A SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM WHERE INCUMBENT AND DESERVING BARANGAY NUTRITION
WORKERS SHALL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO AVAIL OF A


SCHOLARSHIP GRANT IN ANY STA’
A DEGREE OR COURSE OF HI
PRESENT POSITION.

_LLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND PURSUE
IER CHOICE OR RELEVANT TO HIS/THER

SECTION 9. LOCAL NUTRITION COMMITTEES

‘The implementation of this
program shall. = be_—sunder ~—the~— full responsibility ofa
Provincial/City/Municipal/ Barangay Nutrition Committee headed by the Governor/
City/Municipal Mayor/Barangay Captain as Chairperson of the Local Nutrition

Committee.

SECTION 10, LOCAL TRAINING TEAM. The local training team of the
city/municipality shall be composed of two members chosen from among, the
members of the City/Municipal Nutrition Committee together with the nutrition
action officer and D/CNPC. This team shall follow up the activities of the trained

barangay nutrition worker.

SECTION 11. ROLE OF THE MAYOR. The Municipal/City Mayor shall initiate
activities to implement this project within the municipality/city, organize the local
training teams and recommend the appropriation as local counterpart in the form of

additional allowance, health insurance for the barangay nutrition scholar or worker

SECTION 13. NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL. The National Nutrition
Couneil shall formulate rules and regulations, plans and programs within the limits set
forth in this Act, allocate the funds for this project. Likewise, the NNC shall conduct
‘acaclemic training and research activities, take advocacy measures and provide policy

guidelines to all of the Program

SECTION 14. DONATIONS. For the purposes of this Program, the National
Nutrition Council and the local governments, are authorized to receive grants,
donations, gifts or bequests from various government agencies, government

corporations and private entities, such donation being tax exempt

SECTION 15. APPROPRIATIONS. The amount of One Million Pesos


(P1,000,000.00) out of any available funds from the National Treasury or from the
Special Activities Fund is hereby appropriated and authorized to be released for the
” organization and initial operation of the BNSP and the local governments for the
purposes of this program. Local governments are likewise authorized to appropriate
such amount necessary for the successful implementation of this program.
PROVIDED, THAT THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY SHALL APPROPRIATE AS PART
OF [TS ANNUAL BUDGET FOR PERSONAL SERVICES THE NECESSARY
AMOUNT OF FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) PER MONTH PER BARANGAY
NUTRITION WORKER FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND CLASS MUNICIPALITIES
AND CITIES, PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THIRD TO FIFTH AND SIXTH CLASS
MUNICIPALITIES SHALL APPROPRIATE FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) PER
MONTH PER BARANGAY NUTRITION WORKER.

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) MONTHLY
ALLOWANCE PER BARANGAY NUTRITION WORKER SHALL. BE INCLUDED IN
THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (GAA) FOR THE YEAR FOLLOWING ITS
ENACTMENT IN THE NNC BUDGET.

SEC 2. Separability Clause. Should any part or provision of this Act be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not otherwise affected thereby

shall remain in full force and effect.

are incon:

SEC 3. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders or any part thereof which

stent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 4, Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette or

in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

“Approved,