The Barangay Nutrition Scholars and Barangay Health Workers are the government’s arms in the efficient implementation of its programs on Health and Nutrition, hand in hand with other health professionals gainfully employed in the government service.
It is a fact well known to everyone that the BHWs and BNSs do not get much compensation from the government. In fact, most receive a minimal honorarium for their services in their barangays. Yet, their roles in the barangays are indispensable. They are the front liners in every barangay’s Health and Nutrition Programs.
Seeing the need to encourage their most effective performance, Board Member Maria Olivia B. Pascual authored the ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance Requiring All Barangay Government Units in the Province of Cagayan to Appropriate Employer Counterpart for the Pag-Ibig Fund Contributions of Barangay Officials as per Section 3C, Rule VII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9679.” The ordinance has been unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cagayan in September 23, 2015.
“Being a champion in nutrition, I see the great importance of our BNSs and BHWs. I see how hard their work is. And as we know, membership in the Pag-IBIG Fund could give them a lot of benefits,” says BM Olive. “With this ordinance, I wish to help them, because I know that they deserve to be helped by the government in return for their priceless efforts,” she continues.
Among others, the ordinance mandates all Barangay Government Units, as employers, to appropriate Pag-IBIG Fund contributions in their Annual Budget corresponding to the aggregate Pag-IBIG Fund contributions of their Barangay Chairpersons, Barangay Council Members, Barangay Secretaries, Barangay Treasurers, Barangay Tanods, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutritionists, Barangay Day Workers, and other workers in the barangays, which shall be two percent (2%) of their yearly aggregate compensation/honoraria.
The Barangay Chairperson and Treasurer are responsible for the appropriation and the eventual registration of all barangay officials and workers, including the BNSs and BHWs.
“All 820 barangays in our province must abide by the provisions of this ordinance,” BM Olive emphasizes. “Let’s do this for all our Barangay Workers in Cagayan, and I know they will give a lot more for all our constituents in return,” she ended.
