Magna Carta for BHWs
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, BHW-Partylist Representative Angelica Co, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia joined the Congress. They vowed to the BHWs that they would intensify their efforts in convincing the members of the 19th Congress to pass the proposed House Bill 6557, or the proposed
Magna Carta for BHWs.
Co said the BHWs are overworked but underpaid, and their work was labeled as a volunteer job even though they work similarly with other employed healthcare professionals.
On the other hand, Ejercito stressed the importance of government support for the BHWs, who would even go to remote areas in their communities, driven by their dedication to their chosen vocation. “Grabe yung dedication di ba? Minsan pa nga hinahabol pa ng aso (They’re very dedicated and they would sometimes be even chased by dogs),” Ejercito added.
Go thanked the BHWs, whom he called the “real heroes of our community,” as they spend their time and strength ensuring that the citizens are safe and healthy. “Sila yung frontline natin lalo na nung pandemic kaya dapat din nating silang alagaan (They are our frontliners, especially during the pandemic, so it’s just fitting that we take care of them),” said Go.
Under the Magna Carta for BHWs, accredited BHWs are entitled to receive incentives and benefits that include a monthly honorarium of P3,000, hazard allowance (no less than P1,000 per month), transportation allowance (P1,000 per month), subsistence allowance (for meals worth P100), one-time retirement cash incentive, health benefits, insurance coverage and benefits, vacation and maternity leaves, and cash gifts.
The proposed law also grants a one-time gratuity cash incentive of not less than P10,000 “in recognition of the BHW’s loyalty and dedication and for having continuously and satisfactorily served at least 15 years.”
Currently, BHWs only receive a monthly honorarium, depending on the financial capacity of the barangay and the local government unit they serve in.