Senator Robin Padilla filed Senate Bill 232 which seeks to give additional benefits to barangay health workers.
In filing the bill, Padilla also said he wants to grant barangay health workers the right to self-organize and to seek redress for grievances in a peaceful manner.
“With the huge role that our barangay health workers perform in our health sector, it is only proper that the State likewise protect those who protect our people by giving them just compensation and other benefits and incentives that they rightfully deserve,” Padilla said.
“This bill also includes the barangay health workers’ right to self-organization in order to freely form, join or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted activities, in a manner not contrary to law,” he added.
The proposed bill also sought to stop discrimination against barangay health workers.
Covered by the bill are barangay health workers who are registered and accredited with the municipal o city health boards.
To be accredited, barangay health workers must have rendered at least two years of “continuous and satisfactory service,” as well as have completed “regular training program on health care service and community-based
health program” as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH).
Municipal and city health offices are to maintain an updated barangay health workers registry, while the DOH will maintain a national registry.
Barangay health workers are to fulfill the roles of “advocate” or health programs;
“educator” to guide the community on health priorities of local government units; “disseminator” of health updates to the community; “coordinator” for health services; “record keeper” of health data, activities and events in the community; and “health care service provider.”
Under the bill, at least one barangay health worker is to be appointed for every 20 households in a barangay.
Benefits under the measure include:
* 20% discount on items under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
* Hazard allowance of at least P1,000 per month
* Subsistence allowance of at least P100 per day
* Transportation allowance of at least P1,000 per month
* One-time Retirement Cash Incentive of P100,000 for accredited barangay health workers who served for 15 years
* Training, Education and Career Enrichment Programs
* Health benefits such as free medical care, emergency assistance and
mandatory membership in PhilHealth
* Insurance coverage
* Sick, Vacation and Maternity Leaves
* Cash gift in December
* Disability benefit
* Civil service eligibility
* Free legal services
* Preferential access in loan facilities
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and municipal, city and provincial governments are to set up a grievance mechanism for barangay health workers. Meanwhile, the DOH is to conduct capacity building for barangay health workers.