Once again, our workers have been betrayed.
After 40 years of waiting, the 19th Congress failed to pass the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Despite the grandstanding, press releases and promises — when it mattered most, as in the fight for wages, our lawmakers backed out.
The House of Representatives shamefully withdrew its version of the bill at the last minute. The Senate, meanwhile, refused to convene a bicameral meeting to reconcile the two versions. All this after both chambers had already approved the measure!
Congress loves to talk about caring for our frontliners. But when it comes to actual, concrete action, they keep failing to deliver. What’s worse, they hide behind excuses about funding. Where is the funding problem when it comes to their pork barrel and pet projects? This is further proof of their lack of political will and interest to fight for the people that serve on the frontlines of every health crisis.
Had both houses of Congress acted on the proposed Magna Carta, BHWs throughout the country would have benefited from improved minimum monthly honorarium, transportation allowance and reimbursement for performing their functions, inclusion of BHWs in plantilla positions, and various other provisions that concretely improve their situation.
This is therefore not just legislative failure. It is political cowardice and a blatant disservice to those whose lives are shaped by selfless sacrifice and the bayanihan spirit.
The Labor Education and Research Network stands with our BHWs. We will not forget this betrayal. Together, we will hold every politician accountable.
No more lip service. We demand justice and recognition for all BHWs!