Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 28) — Senator Robin Padilla has filed a bill seeking to provide additional compensation and benefits to barangay health workers.
Among the additional benefits in Padilla’s Senate Bill 232, or an An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, include 20% discount on items under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, transportation allowance of at least ₱1,000 per month, and a one-time retirement cash incentive of ₱100,000 for accredited BHWs who have served for at least 15 years.
Under Republic Act 7883, BHWs currently receive hazard and subsistence allowances, as well as training, education and career enrichment programs, among other benefits.
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In SB 232, Padilla also included BHWs’ right to “self-organization in order to freely form, join or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted activities in a manner not contrary to law.”
BHWs must have rendered at least two years of “continuous and satisfactory service” and completed “regular training program on health care service and community-based health program” as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH) before they can be duly registered and accredited by the municipal or city health board.
Under the bill, the DOH shall maintain a national registry and the municipal and city health offices shall keep it updated. There should at least be one BHW for every 20 households.
“With the huge role that our BHWs perform in our health sector, it is only proper that the State likewise protect those who protect our people by giving them just compensation and other benefits and incentives that they rightfully deserve,” Padilla said.
