• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) is now one step closer to becoming a law as it only needs a signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after it was approved by the bicameral conference committee.
The development was confirmed by its principal author, Senator Joseph Victory “JV” Ejercito in Bacolod City on Friday, April 4.
Ejercito, who attended the 28th National Convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines, said that BHWs are one of the most overworked and under compensated workers in the government.
Although they are volunteers, they served as one of the government’s foot soldiers, the lawmaker said.
“This long-overdue legislation would finally fulfill the promise of better recognition and support for BHWs, who are an extension of the Department of Health in the communities,” Ejercito said.
Under the bill, a monthly honorarium of not less than P3,000 will be provided to registered BHWs while the certified BHWs will get up to P5,000.
A review and adjustment of the rates will be done every three years.
The bill also contains a menu of benefits that include transportation allowance, subsistence allowance for BHWs who render service in unserved or underserved barangays where they are not residents, hazard allowance, insurance coverage from the Government Service Insurance System, health emergency allowance during public health emergencies, and cash gifts every December.
BHWs who have served for at least 15 years are entitled to a one-time dedicated service recognition incentive of not less than P10,000 upon their departure from service.
They are also entitled to free legal service and preferential access to government livelihood programs.
To professionalize the BHWs, they are required to undergo certification by the municipal or city health boards.
To qualify for certification, the BHW must have completed at least two years of continuous service in the locality, courses on training on the roles, duties and responsibilities of a BHW as prescribed by the DOH, and other courses under the certification component of the Education and Training Program spelled out in the bill.
Certified BHWs who have served for at least five years continuously shall also be granted sub-professional eligibility, according to the proposed bill.
There are about 253,000 BHWs in the Philippines. | GB
