11 April 2022, Cagayan de Oro City - (CNPC Sherill Faith P. Española) – A total of ₱82,000.00 financial assistance was given to the first batch of retiring Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) from the City Government of Cagayan de Oro in recognition of their invaluable voluntary services to the City. Below is the list of eight (8) BNSs who received the said financial assistance with number of years in service and amount earlier this month:

The release of financial assistance or “Pabaon” for BNSs is supported by City Ordinance No. 14031-2021, Section 11 wherein BNSs are granted financial assistance upon separation from public service of ₱500.00 per year of service to qualified BNSs aged 65 years or above, or ₱500.00 per year of service to qualified BNSs having rendered at least 10 years of continuous service regardless of their age.

City Nutrition Action Officer Nenita F. Rabe together with City Nutrition Program Coordinators personally handed over the checks to retiree BNSs. The City Nutrition Committee is grateful for the BNSs’ untiring service in delivering nutrition services in the community.

Moreover, CNAO Rabe is thankful to Barangay Nutrition Committees, specifically the Punong Barangays for their continued provision of Barangay honorarium to the above-mentioned BNSs until the end of 2022.

This ordinance granting additional incentives received by BNSs was authored by City Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, “An Ordinance providing the Guidelines for the Registration and Accreditation of Cagayan de Oro City Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) pursuant to Republic Act No. 78883, of 1995, and the registration of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1569, granting additional benefits and incentives to qualified BHWs and BNSs, respectively”. Approved last 22 February 2021, the ordinance intends to protect BHWs and BNSs from political pressure that often comes after every election and change in political leaders.