Solon renews push for enactment of Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers
AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes (Facebook)
AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes in his Labor Day message on Monday, May 1 made a call for the immediate enactment of the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). "As we continue to fight for the rights of our workers, let us also shed light on the plight of our [BHWs] and push for the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers," Reyes said. According to the neophyte solon, BHWs are at the forefront of delivering healthcare services in communities. And yet, they do not enjoy the same rights and protection from the law as other professionals in the healthcare sector. "Matagal na pong isyu na hindi sapat ang benepisyong nakukuha ng ating mga BHWs at nararapat lamang na bigyan natin ng karampatang suporta ang serbisyo na binibigay ng ating mga BHWs sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa kanayunan (We've long known that BHWs don't get ample benefits and it's about time that we provide them support for their services especially those that they render in the countryside)," he noted. Reyes had earlier filed House Bill (HB) 1829, which bats for the Magna Carta to empower BHWs and provide them with additional health benefits, compensation, and incentives. The bill has since been consolidated into HB No.6557, which the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Dec. 12. "Primary healthcare services should always be a priority and we hope that giving proper compensation and benefits to our BHWs will encourage more people to serve in our communities, especially in remote areas," Reyes said. Under the proposed measure, BHWs will be entitled to incentives that include hazard allowance, transportation allowance, subsistence allowance, one-time retirement cash incentive health benefits, insurance coverage, as well as vacation and maternity leaves. The bill also seeks to provide BHWs with opportunities for career enrichment through educational programs and scholarship benefits. "The importance of our BHWs in providing accessible and quality medical assistance in the grassroots cannot be overstated. We need to protect the well-being of our BHWs and provide them with competitive compensation and benefits for their services," Reyes said.