Bong Go pushes for amendments to Magna Carta of Public Health Workers

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday, December 1 renewed his call for better social protection and benefits for the country’s healthcare workers through a review and amendment of the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.

Go said he sees the necessity of amending Republic Act No. 7305, during a recent interview in Caloocan City.

“Pabor po ako, mayro’n pong (I am in favor, there is an) ongoing consultation with DOH regarding possible amendments to the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers," Go said, referring to the Department of Health (DOH).

"Sa ngayon po, inuna ang batas para sa COVID-19 allowances or itong mga incentives po ng ating mga (For now the priority is the law granting COVID-19 allowances or the incentives for) healthcare workers,” Go cited.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, noted P24-billion has been alloted under the programmed appropriations under the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023, while P52-billion is under the unprogrammed appropriations.

“Ako po ay sang-ayon kung saka-sakali man pong taasan ang sweldo ng ating mga healthcare workers dahil grabe po ang sakripisyo nila para sa ating mga kababayan (I'm in favor of increasing the pay of our healthcare workers because their sacrifices for the people is no joke)," he said.

"Bigyan po natin sila ng sapat na sweldo na dapat po para sa kanila. Napakaliit na bagay po ‘yun sa kanilang ginawang sakripisyo po para sa ating mga kababayan (Let's give them sufficient salary that is due them. It's a small thing in exchange for the huge sacrifices they give for our people),” he added.

Earlier, the DOH stated that it has been pushing to amend the said law to increase the salaries of public healthcare workers.

Apart from increasing the salaries of public HCWs, the DOH also called for the inclusion of healthcare workers in the private sector in the coverage of benefits.

Go also vowed will to continue promoting and developing measures to protect the welfare of all healthcare workers.

The senator has authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11712 which provides for COVID-19 allowances to medical frontliners.

The Act covers all public and private medical, allied medical and other personnel like those assigned in hospitals, laboratories and medical or temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.