Health workers, teachers, and other government employees held a press conference Thursday to amplify their calls for living wages, job security, and respect for democratic rights amid ongoing economic and health crises.
The move was taken ahead of President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) by members of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) who expressed frustrations over what they described as unfulfilled promises from the government.
“We continue to struggle with low wages, unpaid and delayed benefits, chronic understaffing, contractualization and the threat of displacement of government employees through rightsizing law and the ongoing privatization of health services,” said Edwin Pacheco, AHW representative officer.
The group reiterated their demand for the nationwide implementation of a family living wage of P1,200 per day or P36,000 per month for entry-level positions of health workers.
They are also pushing for a P50,000 entry salary for nurses and allied health professionals in both public and private sectors.
“We are not asking for luxuries, only what is just and necessary to serve our patients with dignity and to live decently as public servants,” Pacheco said.
They noted that some health programs have faced budget cuts even as lawmakers continue to enjoy access to large discretionary funds.
These policies, they said, contribute to the ongoing deterioration of the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
They described the situation in public hospitals as dire, with long queues, medicine shortages, and outdated facilities becoming the norm.
“We are living witnesses to the deplorable conditions in public hospitals. As health workers, we are fighting for free health services for all, because we believe that health is a basic human right,” Pacheco stressed.
The disgruntled health workers vowed to press their advocacy until the government responds with tangible action.
