DAVAO CITY 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte wants incentives totaling at least P5,000 per month, along with other benefits and privileges for qualified barangay health workers (BHWs), as he cited the “crucial and heroic” role they play in keeping communities safe amid the continuing rise in the cases of dengue and COVID-19 infections in the country.

He said that while BHWs act as the first lines of defense in barangays against disease outbreaks, they continue to suffer unreasonable compensation and lack of benefits, especially if they are assigned to far-flung areas. This dire situation often prompts many to seek better pay and working conditions elsewhere, Duterte said.

In recognition of the essential service they render, Duterte is seeking to provide all BHWs with a monthly honorarium of not less than P3,000 a month, each subject to adjustments based on prevailing market values.

On top of the monthly honorarium, BHWs accredited by their respective local health boards will also be given a monthly hazard allowance of at least P1,000; and a monthly transportation allowance of at least P1,000 under Duterte’s proposal.

Under his proposed “Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers”, Duterte also aims to provide BHWs with a 20% discount on goods and services similar to those given to senior citizens.

Accredited BHWs will also receive a subsistence allowance of at least P100 per day if they are assigned to isolated barangay health stations.

A one-time retirement cash incentive of not less than P10,000 will also be given to accredited BHWs who have continuously and satisfactorily served for at least 15 years.

“With cases of dengue and COVID-19 continuing to increase, not to mention the growing concern over the monkeypox virus, barangay health workers have continuously been at the frontlines in our fight to keep our communities safe from diseases,” Duterte said.

“While doctors and nurses receive most of the public recognition for their life-saving roles during the pandemic, BHWs have remained almost unacknowledged for their sacrifices. It is about time that we recognize the incomparable service of our BHWs by providing them compensation and benefits,” said Duterte.

Along with Duterte, the proposed Magna Carta for BHWs, as outlined under House Bill (HB) No. 450, was also filed by Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo, and ACT-CIS Representatives Jeffrey Soriano, Edvic Yap, and Jocelyn Tulfo.

Their measure seeks to have at least one BHW appointed in every barangay for every 20 households.

Under the bill, all accredited BHWs are also entitled to an annual cash gift of not less than the minimum monthly honorarium that they receive. The cash gift will be given every December and will come from the general fund of the barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national government for this purpose.

BHWs must be registered with and accredited by the municipal or city health board to be entitled to these incentives and benefits.

To become a registered BHW, an applicant should have rendered basic community health care services continuously and satisfactorily for six months immediately preceding the date of the filing of an application for registration and completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH) and conducted by an accredited government agency or DOH-recognized academic institution or non-government organization (NGO).

Duterte said that to professionalize the ranks of BHWs further, they should be accredited by the local health boards. This involves rendering additional service of at least two years and completing a regular training program to be institutionalized by the DOH in cooperation with the local government units (LGUs).

The Magna Carta mandates the DOH in coordination with other government agencies to provide continuing education, training, and career enrichment programs for BHWs.

Accredited BHWs are entitled to free medical care under the bill when confined to any public hospital or health institution and assistance not exceeding P5,000 for expenses incurred during extreme emergencies where no nearby public hospital is available.

HB 450 also entitles accredited BHWs to membership in Philhealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) as indirect contributors. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is also mandated to design an insurance benefits package suitable for accredited BHWs.

Accredited BHWs are also entitled to file sick, vacation, and maternity leaves; receive disability benefits when they sustain injuries or fall ill in the course of performing their duties; receive free legal services in cases arising from the performance of their duties; and be granted first-grade civil service eligibility if they have rendered three years of continuous service.