Strengthening The Barangay Nutrition Program By Providing For A Barangay Nutrition Scholar In Every Barangay, Providing Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1569

Strengthening the Barangay Nutrition Program
• Establishes a project under the National Nutrition Council to provide one (1) barangay nutrition scholar in every barangay. (Section 1)

Barangay Nutrition Scholar
• A barangay-based volunteer worker responsible for delivering nutrition services, community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, family planning, and related activities. (Section 2)
• Shall serve the barangay on a voluntary basis for at least one year. (Section 3)

Qualifications of a Barangay Nutrition Scholar
• Bonafide resident of the barangay for at least four (4) years, with ability to speak the dialect. (Section 4a)
• Possess leadership potential, initiative, and willingness to serve the barangay for at least one (1) year. (Section 4b)
• Willingness to learn and teach what is learned to the barangay people. (Section 4c)
• At least a primary school graduate. (Section 4d)
• Physically and mentally fit. (Section 4e)
• At least 18 years old but not more than 60 years old. (Section 4f)

Recruitment and Training
• Barangay nutrition scholars shall be recruited from within the barangay and tested on mental ability and work attitude. (Section 5)
• Undergo a 10-day training on nutrition, health, food production, and environmental sanitation, followed by a 20-day practicum in the assigned barangay. (Section 7)

Benefits
• Granted a civil service eligibility equivalent to second grade after completing at least two years of continuous and satisfactory service. (Section 6)
• Entitled to a training stipend, kit, and travel allowance of at least P120.00 a year. (Section 6)
• Additional allowances from the municipality, not exceeding P150.00 a month. (Section 6)

Implementation and Oversight
• Provincial/City Nutrition Committee headed by the Governor/City Mayor shall be responsible for the program's implementation. (Section 8)
• Municipal Nutrition Committee headed by the Mayor shall initiate activities, organize local training teams, and recommend appropriation of funds. (Section 11)
• Local training team composed of two members from the Municipal Nutrition Committee shall follow up on the activities of the trained barangay nutrition scholars. (Section 9)
• Barangay Nutrition Scholars Staff Secretariat in every province/city shall monitor progress, identify problems, and recommend solutions. (Section 12)
• National Nutrition Council shall formulate rules, regulations, plans, and monitor progress, and allocate funds to provinces/agencies. (Section 13)

Funding
• One Million Pesos appropriated from the National Treasury or Special Activities Funds for the initial operation. (Section 15)
• Local governments authorized to appropriate necessary funds for successful implementation. (Section 15)
• National Nutrition Council and local governments authorized to receive grants, donations, gifts, or bequests, which shall be tax-exempt. (Section 14)