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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ejercito wants one health worker for every barangay

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Sen. JV Ejercito is pushing for the appointment of at least one barangay health worker in every barangay nationwide.

Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said he filed Senate Bill No. 1380 and Senate Bill No. 1406 mandating the Department of Health to provide at least one health worker in each barangay nationwide and to increase the salaries and benefits of BHWs.

“Despite the recorded number of health workers of the DOH, there are still barangays in the country which do not have a barangay health worker or barangay health center to attend to the health needs of the people,” Ejercito said.

BHWs are one of the frontliners who provide health care services to residents.

Under SBN 1380, BHWs shall be appointed by the municipal or city mayor. They shall be under the control and supervision of the DOH, in close coordination with the local government health officer.

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Under the bill that Ejercito filed, BHWs who are civil service-eligible will receive a monthly salary and benefits equivalent to Salary Grade 10 under the Salary Standardization Law.

They shall also be entitled to a Christmas bonus equivalent to one month salary and all the benefits granted to other barangay employees within their city or municipality.

Ejercito said around P20 million will be appropriated for the initial implementation of the measures.

“The reforms are seen to improve not just the capabilities of the barangay as frontliners in the Primary Health Care Approach but more importantly the availability of the health services to the poor members of the society,” he said.

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