Despite the threat of COVID-19 infection, frontline health and nutrition workers including Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) continue in their selfless tasks of providing nutrition and other services in the communities. Many of the BNSs are also deployed in quarantine facilities and are involved in COVID-19 responses such as being members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT). In doing so, they put their health at risk.

Notwithstanding the risks that they face daily in the performance of their duties in the communities, the BNSs remain true to their commitment in helping families particularly those with pregnant mothers, infants and young children with their nutritional needs and linking them with nutrition, health, and other programs and services. They help prevent the worsening of the nutritional status of these vulnerable groups especially during this pandemic.

Unfortunately, many of them also contracted the COVID-19 virus and were confined in COVID-19 isolation facilities and in hospitals for those with severe infection. The National Nutrition Council (NNC) extended its medical assistance benefit to BNSs who contracted the COVID-19 virus to help them with their medical needs.

From 2020 to present, a total of 33 BNSs in Metro Manila have received medical assistance from NNC amounting to P5,000 to help them defray post-confinement expenses.

“Nabigyan po ng medical assistance ng NNC ang 10 BNSs ng aming LGU. Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa tulong pinansiyal na kanilang ipinaabot sa amin. Nakatulong po ito na pandagdag sa aming pang araw-araw na gastusin lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya. Maraming salamat po!”  – A message from one of the recipients of the medical assistance benefit, BNS Olivia D. Tomas.

The medical assistance is provided to all BNSs who have contracted the COVID-19 virus during their fieldwork and/or duty, admitted to temporary treatment and monitoring facility, quarantine centers or designated isolation facilities for at least fourteen (14) days.

Eligible BNSs may avail of this benefit upon submission of pertinent documents to the National Nutrition Council through the NCR Regional Office. BNSs are advised to seek the assistance of their local nutrition program coordinators who have already been oriented on the documentary requirements and procedures in availing the medical assistance from the NNC.

The NNC-NCR hopes that with this humble amount, the BNSs will feel that their services are valued particularly during this pandemic.  The NNC-NCR will continue to assist the BNSs in whatever way possible.  It is the least the NNC-NCR can do to the Barangay Nutrition Scholars --- ang mga Bayani ng Nutrisyon at Serbisyo! 

Sa lahat ng mga Barangay Nutrition Scholars, saludo ang NNC sa inyo!


Written by: NOIII Emerenciana L. Francia and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo