ILOILO – To recognize their efforts in implementing health programs, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) gathered the province’s barangay health workers (BHW) to a congress.
Nearly 10,000 BHWs from 43 municipalities and Passi City gathered on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz, Iloilo City.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO, said it was organized to show gratitude to the people who brought Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s health programs closer to Iloilo’s 1,721 barangays.
“We are so happy with all their support through the years, and it’s a way of thanking them for their contributions. Kadamo gid kita programs nga ara sila, almost tanan nga health programs,” said Quiñon.
This year, BHWs were on the frontline implementing measles-rubella and oral poliovirus vaccine supplemental immunization activity (MR-OPV SIA) from May 1 to 31.
The provincial government aimed to immunize 161,566 children aged nine to 59 months against measles and rubella.
Out of that target, the vaccination accomplishment was 90.73 percent, and 20 out of 43 municipalities, including Passi City, reached the 95 percent target.
BHWs were also going house-to-house to send aid during the pandemic lockdown.
“Bal-an man naton nga during the pandemic, wala gid sila naton napasalamatan. That’s why si Gov. Toto naghambal gid nga we will conduct a BHW Congress this year,” added Quiñon.
BHWs only receive an honorarium ranging from P50 to P300 per month.
The provincial government, meanwhile, extends P4,000 as an honorarium every December.
Quiñon hopes the Magna Carta for BHW pushing a P3,000 monthly honorarium will hurdle the Senate.
“Sa gamay gani nga incentives nakita naton how much ang contributions kag grabe ang commitment sang BHWS, how much more nga may magdugang pa gid, so mas malipayon sila nga magserbisyo,” she said.
For his part, Defensor admired the dedication and service to the community of BHWs, especially during challenging times.
“As frontliners, you have sacrificed your lives to ensure the safety of the community. Ang bug-os nga probinsya sang Iloilo nagapasalamat gid sa inyo bulig agud mapalab-ot naton ang serbisyo kag programa sa ikaayong lawas sa mga kabarangayan,” Defensor said.
The governor further said: “Rest assured the provincial government will extend full support to all your endeavors. Madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo pagserbisyo kag pagsakripisyo para sa mga pumoluyo. You are an inspiration to us all.”
During the congress, BHWs enjoyed raffles, a health quiz, and a Zumba dance contest.
They also attended lectures on various topics:
* Newborn Screening by Dr. Karen June V. Ventilacion, Head, Newborn Screening Center-Visayas
* Mental Health Promotion by Dr. Mitz S. Serofia, MO IV, Level III Psychiatry of West Visayas State University Medical Center
* Nutrition Promotion by Dr. Wendel T. Marcelo, Provincial Health Office 1 of IPHO
Guests during the event were BHW party-list’s Rep. Angelica Natasha A. Co; Dr. Mary Pauline Gestosani, representative of Dr. Adriano Suba-an, regional director of the Department of Health Region 6; and Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, provincial legal officer and representative of Defensor./PN
