BHW partylist Rep. Angelica Natasha Co urged the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday to remind local government units (LGUs) to grant the much-needed hazard allowance to barangay health workers (BHWs).
She made the call after receiving complaints from BHWs nationwide that they have yet to receive their hazard pay as provided for under Administrative Order No. 26 signed by President Duterte last March.
"I urge the DILG to remind these LGUs. I urge the LGUs to give the hazard pay to the BHWs, given nasa AO 28 na siya (that it is in AO 28)," Co said in a Viber message.
She estimated that 30 percent of the total 400,000 BHWs in the country has not received their entitled hazard pay under AO 28.
"Madami pa talaga ang hindi nakakatanggap as per BHWs. Siguro 30 percent ang BHWs na may reklamo about it (Maybe 30 percent of the BHWs lodged their complaints about it)," Co said.
She explained that apart from their honorarium, the BHWs are entitled to receive the hazard pay from the LGUs.
"Ang LGU ang magbibigay ng hazard pay, additional 'yan sa usual honorarium nila. Their honorarium depends on the LGU. Umiiba iba rin. For example, pag city mas malaki compared to towns na maliit. So they know if dumadagdag ang honorarium or not. Kasi pag hindi dumagdag, meaning hindi nabigyan ng extra for hazard allowance (The LGU is the one giving the hazard pay, which is additional pay apart from the usual honorarium the BHWs are receiving. Their honorarium depends on the LGU. It varies. For example, those from the city get bigger compared to small towns. So they would know if the honorarium is increased or not. Because if not, it would mean they are not given an extra pay for their hazard allowance)," the partylist lawmaker said.
She noted that there 400,000 BHWs nationwide and that seven to 10 BHWs are stationed in each barangay.
Co said even before the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, they have been working on the provision of hazard pay and other benefits for BHWs.
She has been pushing for the passage of her House Bill No. 3985 or the proposed Barangay Health and Wellness Reform Act of 2019, which seeks to provide security of tenure, and grant fixed monthly honoraria and additional benefits and incentives to accredited BHWs in the country.
Under HB No. 3985, Co proposed the following incentives and benefits to the BHWs: Monthly P3,000 honoraria; monthly P1,000 hazard allowance; P100 subsistence allowance per day; monthly P1,000 transportation allowance; free medical care when confined in any public hospital; insurance coverage; and sick, vacation, and maternity leaves.