Citing their heroism and tough job, Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte is seeking the grant of incentives totaling at least P5,000 per month, along with other benefits and privileges, to qualified barangay health workers (BHWs).
This is among the salient points of House Bill (HB) No.450, or the proposed Magna Carta for BHWs.
In recognition of the indispensable service that BHWs render, Duterte wamts to provide them with a monthly honorarium of not less than P3,000 a month each, subject to adjustments based on prevailing market values.
On top of the monthly honorarium, BHWs accredited by their respective local health boards will also be given a monthly hazard allowance of at least P1,000; and monthly transportation allowance of at least P1,000, under Duterte’s proposal.
If enacted, the measure also aims to provide BHWs with a 20 percent discount on goods and services similar to those given to senior citizens.
Accredited BHWs will also receive a subsistence allowance of at least P100 per day if they are assigned to isolated barangay health stations.
A one-time retirement cash incentive of not less than P10,000 will also be given to accredited BHWs who have continuously and satisfactorily served for at least 15 years.
“With cases of dengue and Covid-19 continuing to increase, not to mention the growing concern over the monkeypox virus, barangay health workers have continuously been at the frontlines in our fight to keep our communities safe from diseases,” Duterte said.
“While doctors and nurses receive most of the public recognition for their life-saving roles during the pandemic, BHWs have remained almost unacknowledged for their sacrifices. It is about time that we recognize the incomparable service of our BHWs by providing them compensation and benefits,” noted the Mindanaoan.
Duterte authored and filed the measure along with Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap, Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Tulfo, and ACT-CIS Reps. Jeffrey Soriano, Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo.