Some 790 barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) here have received PHP5,000 each from the provincial government as an expression of gratitude for helping improve the health and nutrition of children at the grassroots level.

The distribution of the cash aid, led by Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, was completed on Monday in time for Christmas.

“Thank you so much for your service and to all the sacrifices that you do to help our province, particularly in promoting the health of our children,” Marcos, who increased the cash aid from PHP4,000 to PHP5,000 this year, told the recipients.

Elma Irapta, provincial nutritionist, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that the BNS have been “very helpful” in improving the health and nutrition of children through the implementation of feeding programs that also benefit lactating mothers across the province.

“They are the ones responsible in picking up the goods from the municipalities and distribute it to identified malnourished children. They monitor their nutritional status before and after the feeding, conduct operation timbang (weighing), and consolidate reports from municipality to the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer,” Irapta said.

Irapta added the BNS also play a crucial role in the nutrition counselling of mothers with malnourished children using Pinggang Pinoy (Filipino plate), a guide on the recommended proportion of food groups in every meal.

Classes for mothers under the so-called Pabasa sa Nutrition (Reading for Nutrition) Program are also being conducted by the BNS.

The Ilocos Norte government also credits BNS for the reduction in the prevalence of stunting in the province, from 8.9 percent in 2019 to 4 percent in 2024.

Stunting happens when children become smaller in height compared with healthier children of the same age primarily due to poor nutrition. (PNA)