Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from Ilocos Norte province were delighted with the latest pronouncement of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), urging them to apply for career service eligibility to secure a permanent job in the government.

The CSC on Wednesday said the Health Worker Eligibility (BHWE) serves as a token of appreciation and recognizes BHWs contribution to ensuring Filipinos’ health.

BHWs who have completed a minimum of two years of college education towards a degree, have served for at least five years of continuous satisfactory service, have not been employed or received any salary except for the honoraria during the minimum five-year period, and have been accredited by the Local Health Board before serving the five-year requirement may apply for the CSC eligibility.

Mhing Alupay Garaza, a BHW of 16 years in Dingras, Ilocos Norte told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday the initiative recognizes and rewards the dedication and hardwork of BHWs like her.

“It’s a positive step towards strengthening the primary healthcare system at the local level,” said Garaza, noting that this can motivate more individuals to serve as BHWs knowing that their contributions can lead to permanent government positions and better benefits.

According to Garaza, serving the public without expecting anything in return gives her a sense of happiness and fulfillment in life.

Inspired by the works of her mother-in-law, Mildred Fernando, who also served as a volunteer health worker and became the president of the Ilocos Norte-Laoag City Federated Barangay Health Workers Association in 1990 before she moved to the United States, Garaza said she would continue to lead fellow BHWs in the name of public service.

“Being a BHW is hard and purely voluntary but we are happy to serve,” Fernando said in an earlier interview.

As the first responders especially during COVID-19, BHWs lighten the load for the municipal health office as they compensate for the lack of grass-roots interaction of health professionals from the Rural Health Unit.

Dr. Rickson Balalio, provincial health officer of Ilocos Norte said he is thankful for the role of BHWs to assist in the health programs of the villages.

“The main problem in our healthcare system is the lack of manpower,” said Balalio as he noted that well-trained BHWs help bridge the gap in bringing health services to the Filipino masses.

Aleth Claire Hernando, head of the Office of Barangay Affairs in Ilocos Norte, said a total of 3,846 BHWs continue to serve the 559 villages with more than 600,000 population as of the latest census.

BHWs in Ilocos Norte receive a quarterly honoraria amounting to PHP600–PHP1,100 with a PHP1,800 annual honorarium from their villages’ budgets.

Some LGUs also provide additional cash incentives to BHWs during Christmas.(PNA)