Senate to tackle measures to protect, compensate health workers

CEBU – Senator JV Ejercito said the Subcommittee on Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers would tackle long-overdue measures concerning the protection and compensation of the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).

Ejercito said BHWs have probably the lowest allowance among government workers, despite the fact that they are “overworked but underpaid.” He cited a Department of Health primary care facility manual which showed that BHW to household ratio is 1:20. 

The reality, however, said Ejercito, is that one BHW serves 108 households. “This is the sad story of the BHWs. But despite this, they continue to serve. In some cases, local government units call on them to assist in non-related health programs because they are the foot soldiers and they go around,” Ejercito said. 

BHW is a person who has undergone training under any accredited government or non-government organization, and who voluntarily renders primary healthcare services in the community after having been accredited to function as such by the local health board. 

Last December, the House unanimously approved the Magna Carta for BHWs. Once enacted into law, accredited BHWs shall be entitled to incentives and benefits that include hazard allowance, transportation and subsistence allowance, one-time
retirement cash incentive, health benefits, insurance coverage and benefits, vacation and maternity leaves and cash gifts.

Under the proposed law, all accredited BHWs who are actively and regularly performing their duties and responsibilities shall be entitled to the following incentives and benefits: a monthly honoraria worth P3,000; hazard allowance, which in no case shall be less than P1,000 per month; subsistence allowance for meals worth P100; and transportation allowance worth P1,000 per month.

The proposed statute also grants a one-time gratuity cash incentive of not less than P10,000 in recognition of the BHW's loyalty and dedication and for having continously and satisfactorily served at least 15 years.

Through the bill, all BHWs shall be entitled to a 20% discount on all items enumerated under Section 4(a) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 provided that the privileges shall not be claimed if the BHW is eligible for a higher discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or other existing laws.

BHWs will also be entitled to health benefits upon the enactment of the measure and these include free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses, medicines, x-ray, and other laboratory fees, when confined in any public hospital or health institution; emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of P5,000 chargeable against the fund of the barangay concerned, for expenses incurred in the nearest private
hospital or clinic in case of extreme emergency where there is no available public hospital; and mandatory and immediate membership in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation as indirect contributors.

All BHWs will also be granted insurance coverage and benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne by the local government concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit package suited to the needs and status of BBWs.

Moreover, all BHWs will get a cash gift of not less than the minimum monthly honoraria to be given every December from the general fund of the barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national government for the purpose. Also, an accredited BHW who sustains injury or sickness in the course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to P2,000 for every year of service as disability benefit. (Joseph Vidal, Cebu Examiner)