Iloilo Barangay Nutrition Scholars to receive increased cash allowance

The Iloilo provincial government has announced an increase in the annual cash allowance for Barangay Nutrition Scholars from P4,000 to P4,500.
The Iloilo provincial government has announced an increase in the annual cash allowance for Barangay Nutrition Scholars from P4,000 to P4,500.

ILOILO – To bolster local nutrition efforts, the provincial government has announced an increase in the annual cash allowance for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) from P4,000 to P4,500.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias made the announcement at the BNS Convention being attended by over 1,000 scholars in Iloilo City on August 1 and 2.

According to Banias, the P500 increase has been included in Supplemental Budget Number 1 and is slated to take effect in December 2024.

“The additional P500 has been signed off by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. yesterday, and by the end of the year, it will be integrated with your current allowance,” Banias told the gathering, which was met with enthusiasm from the BNS attendees.

Further efforts are underway, as Defensor aims to incorporate another P500 increase in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP), requiring collaboration between the executive and legislative offices to pass a supplemental AIP.

“If the AIP passes along with Supplemental Budget Number 2, there could be an increase of P1,000 in total,” Banias added.

This increase is part of the provincial government’s strategy to appreciate and recognize the efforts of the BNS in implementing various projects, programs, and initiatives under the Defensor administration. Banias emphasized the critical role of BNS in reducing malnutrition rates in the province, including conditions like stunting, wasting, and overweight.

“The problems of poverty, malnutrition, and learning poverty are interconnected, and we are actively seeking solutions to prevent these issues,” Banias explained, asserting that addressing these challenges can significantly improve the province.

He also acknowledged the vital contributions of volunteers, particularly the BNS, in the fight against malnutrition.

“I’ve been a mayor for 12 years and I know the work of volunteers, especially the BNS. Our fight to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition would be ineffective without your support,” Banias remarked.

The province has shown progress in its nutritional stats from 2019 to 2023 among children aged zero to 59 months, with a gradual decrease in underweight, wasting, and stunting rates, alongside a slight reduction in overweight percentages.

* For underweight: 2019 – 3 percent; 2020 – 3.47 percent; 2021 – 2.98 percent; 2022 – 2.53 percent; and 2023 – 2.44 percent or 3,627 children

* For wasting: 2019 – 1.90 percent; 2020 – 2.12 percent; 2021 – 1.58 percent; 2022 – 1.31 percent; and 2023 – 1.11 percent or 1,727 children.

* For stunting: 2019 – 7.39 percent; 2020 – 8.73 percent; 2021 – 7.46 percent; 2022 – 5.33 percent; and 2023 – 4.84 percent or 7,204 children.

* For overweight: 2019 – 2.38 percent; 2020 – 3.30 percent; 2021 – 3.15 percent; 2022 – 2.65 percent; and 2023 – 2.26 percent or 3,359 children/PN 

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