Local gov’t support vital to maintaining barangay health volunteers, says nutrition official

SUPPORT FROM local government units (LGUs) is crucial to the performance of barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), according to an official of the regional office of the National Nutrition Council (NNC). Maria Teresa L. Ungson, NNC Davao regional nutrition program coordinator, said during a media forum Monday that health workers at the village level, especially the volunteers, receive a “meager allowance” from the national government, which is why additional incentives from the LGUs mean a lot. Ms. Ungson cited Davao City where volunteers get a P5,000 allowance from the local government. She said there are 1,800 BNS in the entire region, of which 450 are from Davao City. Ms. Ungson stressed that these volunteers are at the frontline of the delivery of health services, including programs to address under nutrition. “These are volunteer workers who give services. There are many challenges… but it makes a big difference if there is support from the local chief executives,” she said. “The funding also shows recognition for the good work that they are doing. These people do not complain,” she added. — Maya M. Padillo