PALO, Leyte - The provincial government of Samar will start the payout of the annual honorarium for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) this year.

This was announced on Thursday during its BNS Congress 2021 in Catbalogan City.

Cynthia Palileo, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, said although the resolution is still for approval, Governor Michael Tan assured that all BNS regardless of the length of service will receive the first payout of the PHP1,200 annual honorarium this December.

She added that starting next year, the provincial government will also give PhP2,500 performance incentive bonus to all BNSs with an overall rating of at least 85 percent based on the evaluation of the Provincial Nutrition Evaluation Team.

Palileo also disclosed that the highest-ranking BNS, with an overall rating of at least 88 percent, will be conferred as the Provincial Outstanding BNS and will receive a cash reward of PHP10,000 from the provincial government.

Meanwhile, more or less 50 participants, 14 of whom were Municipal Federated presidents and some Municipal Action Officers joined the annual activity.

Gerico A. Sabalza, Nutrition Officer I, represented Catalino P. Dotollo Jr, the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, who tackled the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) during the technical update.

The talk also emphasized the First 1,000 Days of Life as a strategic thrust of PPAN and how various stakeholders and the BNS can help attain its goals.

Aside from the technical discussion, participants also joined various contests including Nutri-Quiz and Siday-Making, wherein BNS Lanie Ancheta, and BNS Lydia Nunez, President - Eastern Visayas Association of BNS, were declared as winners, respectively. #GASabalza