A bill seeking to declare April 7 as Barangay Health Workers Day to recognize of the "heroic deeds" of the 400, 000 BHWs in the country has hurdled the House Committee on Local Government.
BHW partylist Rep. Angelica Natasha Co disclosed that her House Bill No. 5956 was approved by the panel, chaired by Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Villanueva.
Co expressed hope that the bill will hurdle the House plenary soon, adding that her bill seeks to recognize the BHWs as "patriots", as they fill the gap in the delivery of health services, especially in far-flung areas.
"For decades, they have been known to us simply as volunteers who relentlessly served in the front lines unselfishly--saving lives even as they, too, are in peril or face difficulties and suffer from poverty, sickness, and misfortunes wrought by men and nature," said Co.
House Bill 5956 proposes to declare April 7 of every year as BHW Day, which coincides with the World Health Day to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.
"On this day, it is proposed that simple ceremonies or activities may be held by concerned national government agencies and local government units to highlight the BHWs' indispensable role to barangay health and wellness across the nation," Co said.