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'Kaya nga magbigay ng ayuda': JV Ejercito says barangay health workers deserve higher pay
'Kaya nga magbigay ng ayuda': JV Ejercito says barangay health workers deserve higher pay
If the government is able to roll out a financial amelioration program nationwide, then the state can also give a better compensation package for barangay health workers (BHW), Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said on Thursday, January 30.
Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, pointed out that the country’s BHWs are considered one of the “most overworked and undercompensated” government officials.
While there are first class municipalities that can afford to provide a decent wage program for BHWs working within their jurisdiction, those in the third class municipalities, “especially those in far-flung areas” can only provide as low as P200 or P400 a month.
“Sabi ko nga eh, kung kaya naman natin magbigay ng ayuda at iba’t-ibang programs or social services, might as well give our BHWs kasi ito nakita nyo naman they work for P200, or P400, di ba? Ano pa mabibili mo dun (I said, if we can provide aid and various programs or social services, we might as well give our BHWs because you saw that they work for P200, or P400, right? What else can you buy with that amount)?” Ejercito pointed out during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.
“Although they are considered as volunteers, I think they have to be well-compensated justly because they really serve as our foot soldiers,” he said.
Earlier, Ejercito defended the passage of Senate Bill No. 2838 under Committee Report No. 332 or An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers.
According to the senator, there are about 253,000 barangay health workers nationwide registered under the BHW Registry of the Department of Health (DOH).
The measure proposes a P3,000 honoraria to be given to all registered BHWs; and P5,000 to all certified BHWs.
Under the bill, the funding will be co-shared by provinces, cities or municipalities, and villages.
For low-income municipalities, or 3rd to 5th class municipalities that may struggle to provide the honoraria, Section 15 of the bill ensures a subsidy from the national government to support them.
Additionally, the P3,000 or P5,000 is the minimum honoraria for registered and certified BHWs, respectively. Furthermore, Ejercito said the LGUs are not prohibited from providing a higher rate if they have the capacity to pay more.