THE CITY Health Office (CHO) welcomed the approval of an ordinance granting service recognition financial assistance to city-paid barangay health workers (BHWs) and barangay nutrition scholars (BNS).
The 21st City Council approved, on final reading, the ordinance granting service recognition financial assistance to city-paid BHWs and BNS on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The ordinance covers qualified city-paid BHWs and BNS, provided they are duly accredited or recognized by the appropriate city offices.
Qualified beneficiaries under this ordinance shall be granted annually the amount of not more than P7,000.00, subject to the availability of local funds.
Proponent Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. said BHWs and BNS render essential frontline services at the community level and play a critical role in the delivery of basic health, nutrition, and social services.
In addition to financial assistance, the city government may institute non-monetary forms of recognition for covered volunteers, including but not limited to certificates, commendations, or public acknowledgment programs.
Elizabeth Banzon, CHO Nutrition Division head, welcomed the approval of the ordinance and considered it an additional assistance to the BNS and BHWs.
“Dako kaayo’g salamat sa inyong assistance sa mga financially labina sa mga BNS, sa family makatabang sila at the same time sa community,” she said.
She noted this is the first time the BNS and BHWs will receive a service recognition gratuity pay.
But Banzon said the office is actively pushing for an increased honorarium monthly as the sector only receives P6,000 monthly.
On top of the P6,000 honoraria is a local government counterpart of P500 for PhilHealth insurance, while a district coordinator receives P6,400 a month and P500 downloaded for PhilHealth.
This year, there are 1,047 city-paid BHWS and 18 district coordinators, and 532 city-paid BNS with 18 district coordinators. She noted that the BNS and BHWs are required to attend regularly at the district health center from Monday to Friday.
She added that even on Saturdays and Sundays, BNS and BHWs are present, especially during disasters and calamities.
Banzon lauded the BNS and BHWs for their support as the National Nutrition Council XI awarded Davao City the “Crown Award” as a consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition for three consecutive years, securing its status as the green banner champion in the region.
The announcement was made during the regional nutrition awarding ceremony on October 9 to highlight the city’s effective nutrition investments, program implementation, and improvements in the local nutrition situation.
In addition to the Crown Award, Davao City also received the Aguila Award. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Banzon, district city nutrition program coordinator, was also recognized with the Community Nutrition Hero Award for her leadership in mobilizing stakeholders across city and barangay levels.
Regional nutrition program coordinator Retsebeth Laquihon noted the Aguila Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in advancing food and nutrition security.
With Davao City advancing to the national level for next year, the city is set to undergo evaluation by the National Nutrition Interagency Evaluation Team.
“NNC and regional committee members have reaffirmed their commitment to providing continuous technical assistance and support to the Davao City government as a true champion of nutrition governance,” Laquihon said.