INCENTIVE. The Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) during their congress at the Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista on Dec. 22, 2021. Antique Provincial Population Office Primo Ogatis, Jr. said in an interview on Thursday (December 23) that the 650 BSPOs each received PHP12,000 cash incentive from the provincial government during their congress.(Photo courtesy of PIO Antique) SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique - The Antique provincial government has given PHP7.8 million worth of cash incentives to 650 Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPO) during their congress at the Binirayan Gymnasium on December 22. Primo Ogatis, Jr., head of the Antique Provincial Population Office, said Thursday each of the BSPO received PHP12,000 cash incentive from Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao. "The BSPOs are being given incentive yearly by the provincial government in appreciation of their services as volunteers in the promotion of responsible family planning and adolescent health," he said. BSPOs also provide livelihood opportunities and education in the community. Ogatis said the governor in her message considered these BSPOs as the "unsung heroes" who despite of the pandemic continued to render their services by conducting responsible parenting sessions among couples and adolescent health to the youth. Last year, these BSPOs received from the provincial government PHP8,400 each, and yearly the incentive is being worked out to be increased. The workers also received Christmas grocery items from the Office of Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, Ogatis said. The giving of incentives is timed during the Christmas season every year. Ogatis said the BSPOs are also considered as front-liners in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) because they help spread the importance of vaccination to the community. "Of the 650 BSPOs in the province, only eight of them had not yet been vaccinated because they have contraindications," he said. Ogatis added that the eight unvaccinated BSPOs were requested to get their incentive from their Provincial Population Office at the Antique capitol or their money will be delivered to their home since they were not requested to attend the congress. (PNA) }