VALENZUELA City 1st District Representative Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday hailed the approval of House Bill (HB) No. 6557 by the House of Representatives, saying it is a “giant step” towards improving the conditions of barangay health workers (BHWs) who have been at the frontlines of healthcare at the grassroots level.

The Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), which is one of the priority measures of the Marcos administration, was approved on final reading by the House with an overwhelming 258 votes Monday evening.

“It is time to recognize the vital role that our BHWs play in the delivery of health services in the communities, especially in the rural areas of the country. Our collective efforts to ensure the passage of the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers is our expression of gratitude for their diligence and sacrifices,” Gatchalian, chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, said.

“We hope that in this small way, we are taking a giant step towards improving the conditions of our BHWs,” said Gatchalian, who is also one of the primary authors and sponsors of HB 6557.

BHWs are close to the heart of the returning lawmaker, as his nine-year stint as Valenzuela City Mayor has allowed Gatchalian to on the ground and personally see, among others, the extreme sacrifices made by BHWs as community educators in preventing simple diseases, monitors, and data gatherers for policy-makers, and primary healthcare providers.

During his sponsorship speech, Gatchalian cited the case of Aling Pacita, a 58-year-old mother of four and a barangay health worker (BHW) in her free time from her maternal responsibilities.

“She has been working for the past 16 years as a BHW. She tirelessly walks around her neighborhood to give primary health care services and gathers data on the overall health status of the community. She is the one administering vaccines in the barangay hall, facing the risk of infection but always keeping in mind the health of the community. Ever since she began to volunteer her time as a BHW, she has been at the frontlines of healthcare,” he pointed out.

“Our BHWs have been at the frontlines of healthcare since time immemorial. Aling Pacita is a symbol of the thousands of BHWs who risk their own personal safety and sacrifice their personal comfort to improve the health of the community. They have always done their role, it is now time to do ours,” Gatchalian said.

HB 6557, which is a consolidation of 49 measures, seeks to provide BHWs with a comprehensive set of compensation and benefits that include hazard allowance, transportation allowance, subsistence allowance, one-time retirement cash incentive, health benefits, insurance coverage and benefits, vacation and maternity leaves, cash gifts, and disability pay, among others.

The measure also mandates that an accredited BHW who has rendered at least five years of continuous service shall be conferred with a first grade Civil Service Eligibility; and mandates the Department of Health (DOH) to provide continuing education and training programs for BHWs.

It likewise mandates the municipal, city or provincial government and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to establish a grievance mechanism to address complaints regarding acts of discrimination and unjust removal of BHWs from the service.

With HB 6557 now on its way to the Senate, Gatchalian expressed optimism on its eventual enactment into law this 19th Congress.

A similar act providing a Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers was approved by the House of Representatives during the 18th Congress but failed to pass in the Senate for “lack of material time.”

Gatchalian also cited the noble efforts of the many authors who have resolutely pushed for its passage at the House, including his co-sponsors, Bataan 3rd District Rep. Maria Angela Garcia, Barangay Health Wellness (BHW) Party-list Rep. Angela Natasha Co, and House Appropriations Committee chair and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co.

“We would like to thank the many authors of this measure for their passion and insights in drafting this important measure, as well as our colleagues who share our beliefs on the virtues of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers,” he said.

Lastly, he also took the time to thank BHWs for their crucial role in making health services accessible in every community.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsisikap at sakripisyo. Katuwang naming kayo sa pagharap sa mga pagsubok na dala ng pandemiya. Ang proseso ng pagbuo ng bansa ay hindi maisasakatuparan kung wala ang mga katulad ninyo na umaagapay sa pamahalaan,” Gatchalian said.