JV Ejercito seeks plantilla posts, higher pay for midwives
Sen. JV Ejercito — INQUIRER / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 2044, or the proposed “Philippine Midwifery Empowerment Act,” which seeks to professionalize the country’s midwifery workforce and end long-standing casual and job-order arrangements.
Ejercito said the measure aims to “rectify the enduring injustices” faced by midwives, many of whom have served for years without security of tenure, adequate compensation, or clear career progression.
“In many geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, sila ang una, at minsan ay tanging health provider. Filipino midwives walk long distances, cross rivers, and go the extra mile to reach mothers and patients who would otherwise have no access to basic health services,” he said.
The bill proposes the creation of plantilla positions for midwives and sets the entry-level salary at Salary Grade 13, with the aim of ending decades of employment instability in the sector.
“We want to put an end to their status as job order or casual employees, especially since their service in our health system is continuous and very important,” he said in Filipino.
The measure also introduces a ladderized education framework to strengthen the profession while ensuring inclusivity for those who are already in service.
Under the proposed equivalency rule, midwives registered prior to the enactment of the law would be granted degree equivalency based on work experience and prior learning. Those who graduate after its passage would be required to undergo bridging courses to obtain a degree while retaining their license to practice.
Ejercito, principal author and sponsor of the Universal Health Care Act, said securing the welfare of midwives is critical to delivering the law’s promise of accessible and equitable healthcare.
“Midwives are frontline health workers. If we are serious about UHC, we need to strengthen their ranks because they are important in improving maternal and child health,” he said in Filipino.
He added that through the bill, he hopes to empower midwives and enable them to continue delivering vital services, particularly in underserved communities where their presence often makes the difference between access and neglect.
