Barangay health workers (BHWs) across the country could soon receive a minimum monthly honorarium of ₱3,000 alongside a ₱1,000 hazard allowance under a newly pushed legislative measure.
Marikina City 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo is championing House Bill (HB) No. 1426, his version of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers. The bill aims to honor frontline community health personnel by providing better financial compensation, expanded institutional benefits, and strict legal protection against arbitrary dismissal.
The proposed legislation outlines several financial incentives for BHWs, including:
- A monthly transportation allowance of at least ₱1,000 for official duties.
- A daily meal allowance of at least ₱100 for workers assigned to qualifying isolated health stations.
- An annual Christmas gift of at least ₱3,000 every December.
- A one-time loyalty incentive of at least ₱10,000 granted after 15 years of continuous, satisfactory service.
Quimbo, who serves as the chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, noted that the financial package is designed to relieve out-of-pocket expenses frequently borne by volunteers who use their own funds for transportation and communication costs.
“Ang malasakit ng ating mga BHW ay dapat may katumbas na suporta mula sa gobyerno. May mga BHW na sariling pera ang ginagamit sa pamasahe, load, at iba pang gastos para makapagserbisyo. Bukod pa rito ang may kanya-kanya rin silang pamilya na sinusuportahan,” Quimbo said.
“Ang dedikasyon nila ay dapat lamang tumbasan ng hindi lamang pagkilala ngunit pati na rin ang angkop na alokasyon mula sa pondo ng pamahalaan,” he added.
According to the lawmaker, enhanced state support is critical to maintaining frontline health services such as home visitations, vaccination follow-ups, maternal health monitoring, and patient referrals.
“Kapag may sapat na suporta ang ating mga BHW, mas kaya nilang magbahay-bahay sa mga komunidad, magpaalala sa mga magulang at mag-follow up para makumpleto ang bakuna ng bawat bata,” he stated.
Beyond financial provisions, HB No. 1426 seeks to shield veteran BHWs from politically motivated removals. The bill mandates that any termination require a valid cause and that dismissal cases be resolved within a 90-day window, guaranteeing reinstatement and full benefit restoration for anyone unjustly dismissed.
“Magpalit man ang nakaupo, dapat tuluy-tuloy ang serbisyo,” Quimbo said.
“Dapat kakayahan at maayos na pagganap sa trabaho ang batayan ng kanilang pananatili. Hindi politika,” he emphasized.
Additional provisions in the measure include continued honoraria during sick or maternity leaves, free medical care during public hospital confinements, emergency medical assistance of up to ₱5,000 in private facilities, and government-funded insurance coverage through the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
“Alagaan natin ang mga taong nag-aalaga sa ating mga komunidad. Sa paraang ito, mas napapalakas natin ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Quimbo concluded.
The House Committee on Local Government referred HB No. 1426 to a technical working group on November 10 for further review and deliberation.