THE COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role of barangay health workers (BHW) as indispensable government frontliners in delivering to grassroots communities primary healthcare, family planning services, maternal, newborn, and child healthcare, and promotion of good hygiene and sanitation practices. In barangay health centers, they provide assistance and support to physicians, nurses and midwives.
But despite the significant role of barangay health workers, their work is primarily anchored on volunteerism and many do not receive remuneration. This is a grave injustice. Let us take care of our BHW in keeping with the vision to provide universal healthcare access to all citizens. This is also consistent with the duty of the State to protect and promote the health of its citizens and to instill health consciousness among them.
In 1995, Republic Act 7883 (Barangay Health Workers and Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995) sought to provide incentives to them in recognition of their services. It specified that BHWs are entitled to hazard and subsistence allowance; trainings, civil service eligibility, free legal services, and access to loan services. However, it did not provide fixed rates for allowances, and local government units vary in the rates and benefits they provide. Consequently, many BHWs become underpaid and receive far less than what their other counterparts get.
It is time to enhance the benefits and incentives of BHWs in recognition of their important role and the work they do, especially during disease outbreaks that most often emerge in remote areas and during natural calamities.
Is it possible to fix monthly honoraria and a floor or a minimum for hazard and subsistence allowances, in addition to other incentives? This is to ensure that BHWs in different localities receive reasonable amounts of allowances. The additional benefits are a long-overdue set of incentives especially considering the continuing inflation.
It is hoped that barangay health workers are given much needed attention by our legislators. The presence of health workers in the barangays is crucial to ensure that people in different parts of the country, including in remote, underserved areas, can avail themselves of proper medical attention. Moreover, BHWs fill the gap brought about by the dwindling number of health workers in the Philippines due to continued migration of nurses and doctors for better opportunities abroad.
