Over 600 accredited barangay health workers (BHWs) in the 4th District of Negros Occidental gathered at the Ramon Torres National High School Gymnasium in Bago City Nov. 19, for their BHW Congress.
Hosted by the city government of Bago, through its City Health Office, led by Dr. Ferdinand Ramon Mayoga, the one-day congress, themed “Abanse BHW Negrense: Nagapanguna sa Pagpabakod sang Komunidad kag Panglawas”, was participated in by BHWs from the Bagonhon Barangay Health Workers Association Inc., Pulupandan Barangay Health Workers Association Inc., Association of Barangay Health Workers Valladolid Inc., San Enrique Barangay Health Workers Association Inc., Pontevedra Negrosanon Barangay Health Workers Association Inc., and the Association of Barangay Health Workers of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental Inc.
The BHWs are trained volunteers who perform various health-promoting and health-educating tasks and provide primary health care services within their communities, the city said.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who spoke at the activity, underscored the important role of BHWs in the realization of health programs and projects at the grassroots level.
The governor also assured BHWs of the provincial government’s full support, as he thanked them for their commitment to serve the Negrenses.
Bago Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, who was present at the congress, vowed to provide more support, including financial incentive, to the BHWs in the city.
Lacson and Torres, along with 3rd District Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Gerlie Pinongan, provincial BHW coordinator Fhemarie Joy Gelogo, and city and municipal health officers, led the distribution of the annual provincial BHW honorarium to accredited BHWs.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental unanimously adopted early this year Ordinance No. 2024-010, or an ordinance strengthening the support for BHWs through the granting of benefits, incentives, and protection against undue termination.
Under the ordinance, accredited BHWs shall receive provincial financial assistance of not less than or at least P1,000 from the Capitol every year, to be released by the Provincial Treasurer on an annual basis, serving as Christmas cash gift or bonus.
The BHWs from the six localities of the 4th District, meanwhile, showcased their talents in dancing and singing through intermission numbers during the event also attended by Bago Councilor Jake Patrick Torres, La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on, Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, and BHW coordinators and presidents, among others.
They also received cash prizes by answering questions related to their work as BHWs. ||
