Barangay health workers monitor children before they get their COVID-19 shots at the Municipal Vaccination Operation Center in San Marcelino town, Zambales province (File photo from San Marcelino Public Information Office)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Monday reiterated his call for barangay health workers to be recognized and respected for the sacrifices they make in their service.
Tulfo made the statement at a joint hearing of several committees on Monday on the magna carta bill for barangay health workers.
The hearing was conducted by committees on health and demography, local government, ways and means, and finance.
“A barangay health worker has one of the most important and dangerous jobs. Why did I say that? Because whenever a disaster or pandemic occurs, they act as frontliners. In so many instances, they risked their lives and some of them died,” Tulfo said in Filipino.
“Rain or shine, they are there to do their job. And yet, when they get sick, they are neglected. It’s about time that our government gives them respect and recognition. Recognize them as true heroes,” Tulfo said.
According to Tulfo, among the challenges that barangay health workers face are unfair treatment by authorities, insufficient salary with not enough benefits in return for their service, and no security of tenure.
The magna carta bill seeks to enhance the benefits and incentives provided to barangay health workers under the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995.
Also discussed during the hearing were the qualifications, roles, and duties of barangay health workers as well as the reported incidents of discrimination against them due to factors such as gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs, and ethnic groupings.