Philippine Senate Approves Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers on Final Reading

In what’s a  major victory for the 253,000 barangay health workers (BHWs) in the Philippines  who have long demanded recognition, fair compensation, and proper benefits for their essential role in public health.The Philippine Senate has approved the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers.

Myrna Gaite, President of the National Capital Region BHW Federation, expressed the enthusiasm of BHWs nationwide: “This bill is a historic breakthrough for barangay health workers across the Philippines. After decades of being underrecognized and underpaid, we finally see real progress toward securing our rights and welfare. We are grateful for the Senate’s commitment to this cause, and we urge President Marcos to sign this measure into law as soon as it reaches his desk. Our communities depend on us, and we need the assurance that we, too, will be protected and supported.”

The proposed Magna Carta seeks to institutionalize standardized and just compensation for BHWs, guaranteeing them a minimum monthly honorarium of ₱3,000, or approximately 52 U.S. dollars, along with transportation, subsistence, and hazard allowances, insurance coverage, health emergency allowance (HEA) during public health crises, cash gifts, a one-time dedicated service incentive, career advancement support, free legal services, and access to government livelihood programs.

While first-class cities and municipalities can afford to provide higher wages for their BHWs, those in far-flung and low-income areas often receive as little as P50 per month—equivalent to just one U.S. dollar. To address this disparity, the bill mandates that the funding of BHW benefits will be co-shared by provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. To further ease the financial burden on low-income local government units (LGUs), Section 15 of the bill provides that the national government will subsidize third- to fifth-class municipalities that may struggle to meet the required honoraria. LGUs with the capacity to pay more are encouraged to increase BHW compensation beyond the mandated minimum.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the bill’s principal author and sponsor, emphasized that this legislation has been a long time coming. “The journey of this bill has been very challenging. And yet, here we are, passing it on third and final reading. The last steps of passing this bill into law are upon the horizon,” Ejercito stated. He also underscored the crucial role of BHWs in delivering primary healthcare, particularly in underserved and geographically isolated communities, describing them as one of the most overworked and undercompensated public servants.

Professionalizing the BHW Sector

Beyond financial compensation, the Magna Carta also pushes for career advancement and the professionalization of BHWs. Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero highlighted this in his statement: “The bill also promotes career advancement for the BHWs. Most of them are volunteers, and not trained professionally, so we want to raise their status by providing them with opportunities to gain more knowledge and exposure, and develop new skills for their personal development.”

Under the proposed law, BHWs will be required to undergo certification by the municipal or city health boards. To qualify, a BHW must have at least two years of continuous service, complete DOH-prescribed training courses, and fulfill other certification requirements outlined in the bill. Those who have served continuously for at least five years will also be granted sub-professional eligibility.

Support from the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives, which had already passed its own version of the Magna Carta of BHWs last December 2022, expressed readiness for the next legislative step. BHW Party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co conveyed her appreciation for the Senate’s approval, stating: “We in the House are ready to meet with our Senate counterparts in bicameral conference for reconciliation of the House and Senate versions.”

Voices from the BHW Sector and the Labor Movement

UNI-PLC President Roland De La Cruz, who is also present during the Senate interpolations for the bill, acknowledged the role of legislators while pushing for continued advocacy: “The passage of the Magna Carta for BHWs in the Senate is a product of years of struggle by grassroots health workers, unions, and advocates. We commend the BHW Party-list and Senator JV Ejercito for championing this bill. Beyond this law, we will continue to push for stronger labor rights and better working conditions for all health workers.”

The global labor movement has also resonated with the recent victory. Rajendra Acharya, Regional Secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific, said: “The international labor movement stands in celebration with the BHWs of the Philippines. The passage of this bill is a powerful statement that care workers deserve dignity, fair compensation, and better working conditions. But this is just the first step. There are still many challenges to address, from full implementation to ensuring BHWs have stronger labor rights. UNI and our affiliates will continue pushing for more reforms to uplift the sector.”

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting BHWs. “Barangay health workers are the backbone of public health in the Philippines, and this bill is a crucial step toward ensuring they receive fair treatment. We stand with the BHWs in their continued fight for better working conditions, job security, and fair wages.”

With the Senate’s approval, the next step for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers is the bicameral conference to reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions before it is forwarded to Malacañang for the President’s signature. Should it be enacted into law, it will mark a historic victory for the nation’s barangay health workers, who have long fought for better recognition and fair compensation for their invaluable service.