The City Council of Valencia City approved in April 8, 2016 Ordinance No. 105-2016 which increases the monthly honorarium of the City’s Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) from P 2,650.00 to P3,333.00.

Authored by City Councilor Oliver Owen L. Garcia, this recent issuance amends Ordinance No. 80-2015 and sets a  P650.00 monthly increase per BNS.  The Ordinance specifically provides that the increased amount has already been allocated in the 2016 City budget and shall thereafter be included in the succeeding annual budgets.

Valencia City has institutionalized the deployment of BNSs in support of Presidential Decree No. 1569 that strengthens the Barangay Nutrition Program by providing one barangay nutrition scholar in every barangay. To date, Valencia City has deployed 66 BNSs in 30 barangays.  All existing BNSs will receive the honorarium increase retroactive January 2016.

In another development, the City Council, through Councilor Policarpo P. Murillo, IV, M.D., is also working on a proposed ordinance on weight and height taking in all private preschools, elementary and secondary schools. The proposed ordinance aims to consolidate vital nutrition information to curve malnutrition among children not accessing health and nutrition services through the public delivery system.mdmn