Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Tuesday appealed to the Department of Budget and Management to help find sources of funding for benefits for barangay health workers (BHWs), especially those in far-flung areas.
Padilla lamented that while the BHWs work as “foot soldiers” to ensure Filipinos’ health, especially in far-flung areas, not all local government units could afford to give them the benefits they deserve.
“Naniniwala naman tayo ang pinakamahalaga sa bansang ito ang kalusugan ng ating kababayan, nag-aalaga doon mga BHW… Saan natin pwedeng kunin ang pera? May pagkukunan ng pera para maibsan ang kahirapan ng ating BHW, magkaroon naman sila ng sapat ang kayang buhayin ang kanilang sarili (We believe the health of all Filipinos is important. Where can we get the funds for the benefits of our BHWs so they can make ends meet)?” he said at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, which took up bills on benefits for BHWs.
“Ang Pilipinas, mas maraming lugar na malalayo. Sa malalayong lugar yan ang dapat nating alagaan (In the Philippines, there are many far-flung areas. We need to take care of our BHWs in those places),” he added.
The DBM’s representative at the hearing said the current National Health Workforce Support System is presently provided to doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, and public health associates employed to work in 5th- and 6th-class municipalities, but indicated that “That is something we may explore.”
Padilla noted that while some local government units (LGUs) in Bulacan, Cebu and even Pasig City can afford to give BHWs benefits, not all LGUs are as fortunate when it comes to resources.
“Marami rin kasi, kung sino ang nandoon sa malalayong lugar, ang talagang di napapansin na lugar, yan ang nangangailangan talaga, lalo na ng BHW (There are many BHWs especially in far-flung areas who need the benefits the most),” he said.
Padilla filed Senate Bill 232 that aims to give BHWs the benefits and incentives they deserve, as well as the right to self-organize to seek redress for grievances in a peaceful manner.
BHWs are to fulfill the roles of “advocate” or health programs; “educator” to guide the community on health priorities of local government units; “disseminator” of health updates to the community; “coordinator” for health services; “record keeper” of health data, activities and events in the community; and “health care service provider.”
