Among the highlights of the recently concluded 3rd National Conference of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) was the conferment of the Long-serving Award to BNSs who have served their communities for at least 30 years as of 2014. A total of 304 BNSs qualified for the award and were each presented with a certificate of appreciation and cash incentive. Of the 39 longest-serving BNSs awarded for 36 years of service, Ms. Generosa P. Cabrestante of Palawan was the eldest at 82 years of age. She was followed by Elsa C. Pacurib of Laguna, 77 years old, and Salvacion L. Cariño of Zambales, and Teodora N. Rocha of Mabalacat City, both 75 years old.

The Guidelines for the Conferment of Service Award to long-serving Barangay Nutrition Scholars was approved on 12 September 2014 by former Health Secretary and NNC Governing Board Chair Enrique T. Ona. The longest serving BNS award is NNC’s tribute to BNSs’ committed service to the nutrition program. The award was conceptualized on the occasion of NNC’s 40th anniversary and aims to 1) provide incentives to BNSs for their loyal service to the program; 2) encourage continuous and dedicated service among BNSs to the cause of nutrition; and 3) recognize people supportive of the nutrition program.

Besides the award, current incentives given to BNSs include travel allowance, CSC eligibility for two years of continuous satisfactory service, continuing education through trainings and conferences, and annual recognition of outstanding BNS performance based on multi-level evaluation system.

Indeed, as Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario P. Davide III said during the Visayas sub-conference of BNSs at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on 22 April 2015, the “BNSs are the Superman and Wonder Woman combined for children!”