OK of bill enhancing public health workers’ benefits hailed
KEY stakeholders in the health sector have lauded veteran legislator Rep. Ron P. Salo as his authored measure, House Bill (HB) No. 9127, which seeks to enhance the benefits and incentives for public health workers, was unanimously approved by the House committee on health.
“We in KABAYAN Partylist acknowledge the pivotal importance of the role that our public health workers fulfill in our nation, especially during the pandemic. These are our doctors, nurses, midwives, medical technologists, and ‘aides’ who work at public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units (RHU). By enhancing the statutory framework established more than three decades ago under RA No. 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our health workforce and fortifying the foundations of our public health system,” Salo asserted.
Among the proposed enhancements as provided in the bill are the following:
• Public health workers shall be given 25% hazard allowance across the board, regardless of salary grade. As it currently stands, only public health workers below salary grade 20 are receiving the 25% hazard pay. Those with salary grade 20 or higher only receive 5% hazard allowance.
• The subsistence allowance of public health workers are also pegged at P 300.00 with gradual increases up to P 500.00. Currently, the subsistence allowance is provided as three (3) meals a day based on prevailing circumstances.
• Further, their laundry allowance is proposed to be increased to P 1000.00 a month, currently pegged at a measly P 125.00.
“Increasing the statutory benefits and incentives of our public health workers is vital to recognize and compensate for their tireless dedication, address burnout, and attract and retain skilled professionals, ultimately enhancing the quality and sustainability of the healthcare services in the country”, Cong. Salo emphasized.
The bill garnered widespread support from both private and public sectors which include the Department of Health (DOH), National DOH Employees Association (NADEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET), Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Medical Action Group (MAG), and Alliance of Health Workers (AHW).
“I want to express gratitude to Cong. Ciriaco B. Gato Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Health and also to all other authors who are our co-champions in this initiative. As well as to our partner stakeholders, especially the National DOH Employees Association (NADEA) for their efforts in advocating for this bill. KABAYAN Partylist aligns with your proposals, and we pledge our support in championing this initiative,” stated Salo.
As the chairperson of the committee on overseas Filipinos workers, Salo opined that enhancing the benefits for our public health workers is also a viable solution to address brain drain, or more specifically, the migration of Filipino public health workers which diminishes the capacity to provide essential medical services to the population due to a shortage of skilled professionals in the local healthcare system.
“Moreover, investing in the welfare of our public health workers is an investment in the resilience and sustainability of our healthcare infrastructure. Let us stand in solidarity with our public health workers, whose tireless efforts epitomize the spirit of selflessness and service,” Salo concluded.
