Manila, Dec. 22 -- 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 improvin...