Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday, September 7, commended the recent issuance of a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Health (DOH), which seeks to ensure the security of tenure for barangay health workers (BHWs).

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, noted that the JMC was issued on August 24 and is signed by Secretaries Benjamin Abalos, Jr. of DILG and Teodoro Herbosa of DOH.

The memorandum will help enforce the provisions of Republic Act 7883, also known as the BHW Incentives and Benefits Act of 1995 and the Universal Health Care Act.

“Ang ating mga Barangay Health Workers ay mga bayani, lalo na sa krisis na dulot ng pandemya. Sila'y naglilingkod nang buong puso sa kanilang mga komunidad araw-araw. Tama lamang na bigyan natin sila ng kaligtasan sa trabaho at mga benepisyong nararapat nilang matanggap (our BHWs are our heroes especially during the Covid-19 crisis. They served wholeheartedly for the community everyday. They deserve to be accorded security in their workplace and to receive the right benefits)," said Go.

Authorities said the memorandum aims to guarantee the uninterrupted delivery of essential primary care services in every barangay.

Among the key provisions of the memorandum is the protection of BHWs against termination without due process.

Go said this provision is crucial in ensuring job security for BHWs who often operate in challenging and under-resourced environments.

“Hinihikayat ko rin ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na isagawa nang buong-buo ang mga probisyong nakasaad sa JMC at tiyakin na ang mga BHWs ay makakatanggap ng suporta na kinakailangan nila upang magampanan nang maayos ang kanilang mahalagang papel sa ating mga komunidad (I urge local government units to fully implement the provision of the JMC and make sure that BHWs will receive full support they need to perform their duties)," he urged.

Go earlier filed Senate Bill No. 427 with the goal of providing BHWs a monthly honorarium amounting to P3,000.

The bill goes beyond mere financial support and aims to furnish BHWs with a comprehensive package of benefits, including allowances, job security, regular training, and skill development opportunities, along with the potential to acquire civil service eligibility.

It also extends the BHWs' entitlement to benefits from key institutions such as the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Pag-IBIG Fund.

The senator also said the measure aims to align the provisions outlined in RA 7883, which already acknowledges and grants various benefits and incentives to BHWs.