CEBU local leaders and legislators have called for the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as this will significantly uplift their socio-economic condition through comprehensive incentives and benefits.
Meanwhile, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia also promised to increase the Christmas gift for community health workers in Cebu Province.
More than 9,000 barangay health volunteers across various cities and municipalities in Cebu gathered at the IC3 Convention Center in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, to celebrate their 15th anniversary as an association.
Senators JV Ejercito and Cristopher “Bong” Go and BHW Party-list Rep. Angelica Co, who attended the event, promised the BHWs that they will intensify their efforts in convincing the members of the 19th Congress to pass the proposed House Bill 6557.
Co said barangay health volunteers are underpaid yet overworked, and their employment status is merely labeled as a volunteer job even though their work is at par with other employed healthcare frontliners.
Co stressed the importance of government support to what she described as invaluable volunteers in providing the basic health services to every Filipino, even in the far-flung areas.
The volunteers mostly receive an honorarium monthly for their work, with the amount depending on the financial capacity of the barangay and the local government units, Co said.
Incentives
Under the Magna Carta for BHWs, Co said accredited BHWs are entitled to receive incentives and benefits that include a monthly honorarium of P3,000, hazard allowance (no less than P1,000 per month), transportation allowance (P1,000 per month), subsistence allowance (for meals worth P100), one-time retirement cash incentive, health benefits, insurance coverage and benefits, vacation and maternity leaves and cash gifts.
The proposed law also grants a one-time gratuity cash incentive of not less than P10,000 “in recognition of the BHW’s loyalty and dedication and for having continuously and satisfactorily served at least 15 years.”
“That (Magna Carta) is already in the Senate now under Sen. JV (Ejecito). Hinihintayin na lang natin sa Senate at saka mapirmahan ng ating Pangulo para maging batas (We are just waiting for it to be passed in the Senate and be signed by our President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] for it to become a law),” Co said.
Garcia, who also attended the event, promised an additional P1,000 to the Christmas gift the Provincial Government gives to the BHWs in the province.
The additional amount will increase the cash gift to P6,000.
The governor said her promise shows the Capitol’s appreciation for the voluntary service of all the BHWs in the province.
Garcia stressed the importance of the BHW, saying that the Capitol has relied on them to implement various health-related programs at the barangay level. (EHP)