ORDINANCE NO: 2020-459
Authored by: Honorable Priscilla M. Fernandez
"AN ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY NUTRITION PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF PAGADIAN BY PROVIDING FOR A BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLAR IN EVERY BARANGAY; PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
WHEREAS, consistent with the declared policy of the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them, the government in collaboration with the private sector and, in consideration of the magnitude of the malnutrition problem in the country, have agreed to intensify nutrition programs at the grassroots level;
WHEREAS, while the current nutrition month program of the country has given priority support for continuing training program for technicians and community workers through the cooperating agencies, the manpower resources are not enough to cope with the increasing number of people who still have to be effectively reached by nutrition intervention schemes in some 42,046 barangays;
WHEREAS, in view thereof, it is thus established and recognized that the selected individual from within the barangay who will be intensively trained would be in a better position to deliver nutrition and nutrition related services particularly to target priority high risk family, hence, institutionalizing the Barangay Nutrition Program of the City is most imperative;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (13th City Council) of Pagadian City in session assembled that:
Section 1. Title. -- The ordinance shall be known as "AN ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY NUTRITION PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF PAGADIAN BY PROVIDING FOR A BRANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLAR IN EVRY BARANGAY; PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. -- Pursuant to the provision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is hereby the declared policy of the City of Pagadian to foster, promote and bolster the implementation of Barangay Nutrition Programs and activities by providing for a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in every barangay.
Section 3. Purpose and Coverage. -- This Ordinance is enacted purposely to serve as a guide as well as provide measures in support to the Barangay Nutrition Scholars so as to enable and equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively fulfill and implement all nutrition and nutrition-related services, in particular, and for the over-all development of the city, in general.
For this purpose, this provision of this Ordinance shall cover all registered Barangay Nutrition Scholars citywide who have completed the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Basic Training Course by either a Government or Non-Government Organization whose basic nutrition training programs are duly accredited by the National Nutrition Council (NNC for brevity) and who voluntarily render nutrition and nutrition-related activities in their own community, barangay health stations and rural health units: Provided, that they are not receiving salaries from any agency and institution.
Section 4. Definition of Terms. -- For purposes of this ordinance, the following terms and phrases shall be construed to mean as follows:
Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS for brevity)- shall be barangay-based volunteer worker responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities, such as community health, backyard production, culture, mental feeding and family planning to the barangay;
Volunteer - shall be responsible for the delivery of nutrition and nutrition-related services to the barangay;
Scholar - one who continuously upgrades the knowledge and skills in order to perform community nutrition work;
Barangay Nutrition Scholars Programing - are programs that provide additional human resources for the implementation of the programs, project and activities which aim to address malnutrition and to increase the involvement and participation of the people in the grassroots level;
Registration - refers to a systematic process of listing of BNS based on the set criteria promulgated by NNC;
Accredited Government or Non-government Organization whose BNS basic training course has been accredited by the NNC;
Organize BNS Group - refers to a group, association, federation or confederation of BNSs at the Barangay, Municipal, City, Provincial, Regional or National Level having an independent and autonomous function, such as those of People's Organization (PO) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).
Section 5. Limited Security of Tenure. -- The services of the registered BNS shall not be co-terminus with the appointing authority and shall not be terminated, except for the cause provided by the law and after due process: Provided, that the copy of the termination paper shall be provided, that the copy of the termination paper shall be provided by the Local Nutrition Committee; Provided further, that the registered BNS shall submit monthly accomplishment report to the immediate supervisor.
Section 6. Creation and Composition of the City Nutrition Committee (CNC); And Its Functions and Responsibilities. -- (A) By virtue of Sections 16 and 17 of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, Letter of Instruction (LOI) 441 of 1976; and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2012-89, there is hereby created the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) who shall be primarily responsible for the registration of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), in the respective locality and for this purpose shall:
Safeguard the registration purposes;
Evaluate and take necessary action on the BNS application for registration;
Ensure that the committee decision made by the screening committee on the registration reflected in the screening committee resolution and in the minutes of the meeting;
Section 11. Provision Regarding Benefits and Incentives. -- Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and Presidential Decree No. 1569, registered BNS who are actively and regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to the following benefits and incentives:
A minimum allowance /incentive every month from the City as may be determined by the City Mayor aside from the allowance given by the barangay the BNS represented;
Travelling expenses and per diem during training and monthly meeting conducted by PNO, IPHO, DOH, and NNC shall be charged to the barangay where the BNS represented, unless otherwise stated in the letter of invitation;
Travelling expenses and per diem during the BNS monthly and special meetings and other City activities related to his/her function as BNS shall be charged to their respective barangay BNS represented;
Training and career enrichment program;
Training kit for nutrition advocacy; and
Civil Service Eligibility equivalent to second grade (subject to CSC approval).
The incentive or benefit for the BNS requiring expenditures of local funds shall be reviewed by the Local Nutrition Committee to ensure that the only deserving BNS shall be entitled of such benefits.
Section 12. Suspension and Removal of BNS. -- The City Nutrition Committee (CNC) is empowered to recommend the suspension and/or removal of any BNS to the Local Chief Executive, who maliciously and wrongfully commits the following acts, to wit:
Serious dishonest, misconduct, abuse of authority and serious neglect of duty; and;
Unauthorized absences for five (5) consecutive days without justifiable cause.
Section 13. Appropriations. -- To ensure the proper implementation of the provisions of this Ordinance, an appropriate amount shall be incorporated in the Annual Executive Budget of the City Government of Pagadian;
Section 14. Separability Clause. -- If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid, the remainder or any provision thereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
Section 15. Repealing Clause. -- Any and all previous ordinances or enactments which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Section 16. Effectivity Clause. -- This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after posting in at least two (2) conspicuous places in the City of Pagadian.
ENACTED AND APPROVED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (13th City Council) during its 58th Regular Session on 4 November 2020 conducted via Video Conferencing.