{"id":26658,"date":"2024-12-18T09:02:10","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T08:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniglobalunion.org\/?post_type=news&p=26658"},"modified":"2024-12-18T09:02:10","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T08:02:10","slug":"philippines-community-health-workers-policymakers-unite-in-groundbreaking-forum-to-tackle-sectoral-challenges","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/uniglobalunion.org\/news\/philippines-community-health-workers-policymakers-unite-in-groundbreaking-forum-to-tackle-sectoral-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Philippines: Community Health Workers & Policymakers Unite in Groundbreaking Forum to Tackle Sectoral Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"
The UNI Global Union \u2013 Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC)<\/b>, in partnership with the BHW Party-list from the House of Representatives<\/b>, recently held the inaugural BHW Forum 2024: Strengthening the Voices of Barangay Health Workers <\/b>in Pasig City, Philippines. The event brought together over 250 barangay health workers (BHWs), policymakers, government officials, and key stakeholders to address the pressing issues affecting these essential frontline workers.<\/p>\r\n
Myrna Gaite<\/b>, President of the Barangay Health Workers Federation of the National Capital Region, underscored the persistent challenges BHWs face: low compensation, lack of job security and social benefits, political persecution, and overwhelming workloads. One of the most urgent issues raised was the delayed payments of the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA), the government-subsidized hazard pay for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which many BHWs are still awaiting.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cIn our consultation with 121 municipalities and cities<\/a> across five regions in the country, representing over 33,126 BHWs, the average arrears of HEA amounts to 17 months out of 25, totaling approximately 3.4 billion pesos. Alarmingly, 79 localities\u201465% of those surveyed\u2014have yet to receive even a single month of their HEA,\u201d reported Gaite. She further emphasized that the HEA, designed to provide crucial support during health crises, has failed to reach its intended beneficiaries nearly two years after the public health emergency was lifted in the Philippines. The situation in other regions remains equally concerning, raising questions about equitable access to these benefits.<\/p>\r\n Department of Health Administrative IV Director Roderick Napulan<\/b> provided updates, clarifying that the agency has already allocated 100% of the remaining 27 billion pesos received from the Department of Budget and Management for the HEA. However, BHWs pointed out bottlenecks at the local government unit (LGU) level, where city and municipal health officers excluded BHWs from beneficiary lists or struggled to comply with agency guidelines. \u201cOur office is ready to investigate and take appropriate measures against non-compliant LGUs,\u201d said Napulan<\/b>, who also assured the agency\u2019s openness to dialogue with BHWs.<\/p>\r\n \u201cWe will file a resolution inquiring about the distribution of HEA in Congress,\u201d promised Rep. Angelica Natasha Co<\/b> of the BHW Party-list. She added, \u201cMunicipal and city health officers, along with relevant government agencies, will be summoned to clarify these issues. Rest assured, we remain committed to fighting for the welfare of BHWs.\u201d The BHW Party-list has been a staunch advocate for BHW rights, having sponsored the House version of the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, which passed in the lower house last year. Rep. Co also pledged to invite UNI-PLC to upcoming congressional hearings for the HEA.<\/p>\r\n Magna Carta Progress Updates<\/b><\/p>\r\n Mr. Joshua Babasa<\/b>, legislative staff to Sen. JV Ejercito, updated attendees on the Senate\u2019s progress with the Magna Carta of BHWs. \u201cThe bill has moved to interpolation and has been included as a priority measure by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). The finish line is within sight,\u201d Babasa shared.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Sen. JV Ejercito serves as the principal sponsor of the Senate version of the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, which recently advanced to its second reading in the upper house<\/a>. His office has also committed to including UNI-PLC in the bill\u2019s interpolation process, ensuring that the voices of key stakeholders are heard.<\/p>\r\n Support from Government Agencies<\/b><\/p>\r\n Atty. Jude Thomas P. Trayvilla<\/b>, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment-NCR, emphasized the importance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for BHWs. \u201cWe are united in our goal to create a healthier, safer, and more prosperous community. DOLE stands ready to support every step you take,\u201d he said, praising BHWs for their unwavering dedication.<\/p>\r\n Meanwhile, Mr. Raymond De Asis<\/b>, Chief of the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Department of Interior and Local Government-NCR, assured participants that the DILG continues to work with LGUs to implement its memorandum circular advising against the termination of BHWs after local elections. \u201cThis ensures continuity of care for communities and stability for BHWs,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\r\n Launch of the National BHW Survey<\/b><\/p>\r\n