Party-list solon claims barangay health workers being used as political pawns

A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday alleged that barangay health workers are being used as "pawns" in the campaign of candidates in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo said that during his ground-level interaction with his constituents, he learned that some incumbent and aspiring barangay officials are using the barangay health workers' security of tenure, or the lack of it, to their own advantage for the elections.

"Some barangay health workers are being threatened with ejection from their posts. Some are being forced to throw their support behind candidates," he said.

"This is unfortunate inasmuch as the barangay election is supposed to be non-partisan. More so with the barangay health workers, who should be apolitical. Besides, illnesses do not distinguish political colors, neither the health and condition of our people," he added.

Salo pointed out that barangay health workers are important force multipliers of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in delivering basic health services at the community and in rural areas.

But even as their functions are important, Salo said barangay health workers are only receiving meager honorarium or allowance, and are working out of love of their country and their fellowmen, and their desire to improve the health conditions of the people.

"I am asking the DOH, DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to intervene and speak out against partisan political activity. Partisan in the barangay and SK elections means not just involving political parties but express and implied support to particular candidates," Salo said.

He also asked the DILG, CSC, DOH, DSWD and the Department of Budget and Management to support House Bill 4277 which he filed in order for barangay health workers to have civil service eligibility, incentives, benefits, security of tenure, regular allowances, and other social protections against economic hardships and political interference.

"Public health and social services are clearly top priorities of the national government. I trust that our fellow public servants in the executive branch and here in Congress will support the passage of House Bill 4277," Salo said.

"I am confident that former CSC chairman, now Health Secretary Francisco Duque, will help in fully protecting our barangay health workers," he added. —ALG, GMA News