Senate OKs magna carta for barangay health workers on final reading

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to formally recognize barangay health workers (BHWs) as primary medical frontliners and provide them with benefits.

Senate Bill No. 1905, or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers received 20 affirmative votes, and zero negative votes and abstentions.

If enacted into law, the proposed legislation would guarantee registered and certified BHWs a minimum monthly allowance of ₱3,000, in addition to benefits such as travel stipends, danger pay, and an annual cash bonus.

Further, BHWs who have provided at least 15 consecutive years of service would also receive a single loyalty bonus worth at least ₱10,000.

Additionally, the measure creates a formal accreditation process and ongoing skill development programs, while granting sub-professional civil service status to certified workers with five years of continuous, satisfactory work, in accordance to existing Civil Service Commission rules.

The bill provides state-backed insurance, legal support for work-related liabilities, and entry to educational scholarships, skill-building sessions, financial loans, and livelihood initiatives.

Senator JV Ejercito, the principal author of the bill, said that the measure will provide BHWs security.

"Matagal na po silang tahimik na naglilingkod. Kadalasan ay kulang ang suporta; maliit ang honorarium; at kung minsan ay sariling pera pa ang ginagamit upang maabutan ng medikal na tulong ang kanilang mga kabarangay. Ang masakit, madalas na sila ang naiipit sa pulitika,” he said.

(They have been quietly serving for a long time. Often, support is lacking, the honorarium is small, and sometimes they even use their own money to extend medical help to their fellow barangay residents. What hurts most is that they are frequently caught in the middle of politics.)

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the proposed measure said that while BHW’s volunteerism is appreciated, it’s time that they are provided with protection.

“Hindi puwedeng umasa tayo sa kanilang bolunterismo at kabutihang-loob, pero pabayaan natin silang maglingkod nang bugbog sa trabaho at kapos sa seguridad at proteksyon,” she said in her manifestation.

(We cannot rely solely on their volunteerism and goodwill, only to leave them serving overworked and lacking security and protection.)

“Ang pagiging volunteer ay hindi nangangahulugang libre na lamang ang kanilang pagod, oras, at sakripisyo,” she added. — BM, GMA News