Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reintroduced in the 19th Congress the bill which seeks to mandate the appointment of at least two barangay health workers (BHWs) in every barangay and granting them standard salaries and additional incentives.
Go, who will again chair the Senate Committee on Health and Demography said the role of BHWs are very crucial as they are always at the frontlines of the government’s health programs.
“Napapanahon na din na sila naman ang ating alagaan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng tamang suporta at mga benepisyo upang maiangat natin ang kanilang kabuhayan (It’s time that we give them the care and benefits that they deserve by giving them the right kind of support and benefits that they deserve to improve their life),” Go said.
If passed into law, Go said the proposed Barangay Health Workers Compensation and Incentives Bill, will provide BHWs a monthly honorarium of P3,000. They will also be entitled to other allowances, benefits and privileges and security of tenure.
“Dapat gawing mandatory ang posisyon ng mga barangay health workers at ayusin ang kanilang mga benepisyo (The position of BHWs should be mandatory and their benefits should be stable),” Go stressed.
The benefits and privileges enumerated in the bill include Christmas bonus, sick and vacation leaves, annual training and skills upgrading, Civil Service Eligibility, and legal indemnification.
BHWs will also be entitled to GSIS, PhilHealth and PAG-IBIG benefits.
The bill also retains the benefits and privileges of BHWs under Republic Act 7883 or “The Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995,” such as free legal services and preferential access to loans.