Friday, August 08, 2008 Public health workers seek lawful benefits
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Public health workers (PHWs) in the province have joined the call for the implementation of the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.
Dr. Radito Dizon, president of PHWs in Pampanga, spoke before the Provincial Board (PB) last Thursday to present the situation of PHWs in the province. He said that much has still to be improved in the situation of health workers here.
He said Republic Act (RA) 7305, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, mandates local government units (LGUs) employing PHWs to determine the budgetary requirements to comply with the provisions of the said law.
However, Dizon said it has been observed that the mandated benefits for PHWs have not been given priority by some LGUs. It was found out that much of the needed benefits to health workers could not be given because of fund constraints.
"I ask our officials to help in the full and total implementation of RA 7305 to elevate, even a little, the socio-economic conditions of PHWs amid the unabated increase in the prices off crude oils," Dizon said.
He also presented to the PB all the remaining monetary benefits due to be given to PHWs as prescribed by the Magna Carta.
Board Member Tarcicio Halili said they will pass a resolution forwarding the needs of PHWs to the executive department.
Halili's colleague, Edna David, has called for the granting of the remaining monetary benefits for PHWs under the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.
David said among those allowed through allocation by the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers or RA 7305 for benefits like hazard pay, longevity pay, subsistence allowance, laundry allowance and additional compensation for additional work as some of the benefits that await PHWs.
"Benefits like additional compensation for on-call, overtime, work during rest day and night shift services, can be availed, subject to availability of funds by the Provincial Government and proper accounting procedures," she said. (IOF)
