The Taguig City government has doubled the monthly pay of its barangay health workers (BHWs) who continue to attend to the health needs of residents and bring medical services to communities despite the enhanced community quarantine brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The local government also promoted the health workers from volunteers to job order personnel beginning April 1, and will receive a regular salary instead of allowance and additional benefits.
City Human Resource Management Office head Jeanette Clemente said BHWs who had previously received P3,000 will now receive P7,900. Those who had taken home P4,000 will now get P8,500.
For those who had gotten P5,000, the new pay is P9,700, Clemente said.
The variation in monthly pay is according to length of service: one day to 3 years, 3 to 6 years, and above 6 years, respectively.
“Taguig’s leaders noted how our BHWs worked as front liners in the COVID-19 response and how they’ve dedicated their lives as implementers of our healthcare programs even before this. This is how they went on to increase the monthly pay. The increase will remain in effect even beyond the enhanced community quarantine,” said Clemente.
Aside from the salary increase, all BHWs will now be entitled to a yearly P15,000 performance incentive.
Taguig currently has the most number of BHWs in Metro Manila. From 600 in 2010, the city now has 854 BHWs deployed in different barangays in Taguig.
They work in the 31 health centers and three 24/7 "Super Health Centers” of the city, which continue to be fully operational despite the lockdown.
BHWs are also the first point of contact for persons seeking medical assistance through the city’s TeleMedicine, a platform to seek consultations via the Internet or through text that lessens mobility and physical contact during the ECQ.
When the cases need medication, the BHWs deliver medicines at their doorsteps.
In Taguig’s effort to persist in providing health services, BHWs also go house-to-house to deliver medicines and assist nurses and midwives for other health services in the community.
To keep the BHWs safe from COVID-19 infections, the city provides them with the necessary protective equipment. Taguig also takes charge of their meals at work and transportation to and from home.
"The salary increase is one way we are expressing thanks to our frontliners who, since Day 1, have tirelessly worked to ensure every Taguigeño is provided the care they deserve. Without them, our goal of a healthy city is impossible,” said Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano.