On Monday, February 3, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2838, or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), a measure that seeks to institutionalize compensation and benefits for the country’s community health volunteers.
In his manifestation as Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, one of the authors and co-sponsors of the bill, emphasized the vital role of BHWs in delivering primary healthcare services, especially in underserved communities.
“Barangay health workers serve as the frontliners in the barangay in providing basic health services. Sa mga komunidad na walang doktor, ang mga barangay health workers ang gumagawa ng paraan sa abot ng kanilang makakaya—basta makatulong kahit papaano na gumaling ang mga kababayan natin sa kanilang barangay,” Senator Go stated.
As a consistent health reforms crusader, the senator acknowledged the dedication of BHWs, who, despite receiving little to no incentives, continue their service out of sheer commitment to their communities.
“Kung dedikasyon lang naman ang pag-uusapan, wala na tayong mahihiling pa dahil nariyan ang ating BHWs para tumugon sa tawag ng tungkulin, mababad man sila sa baha o mabilad sa araw. Sila po ang unang tinatakbuhan ng mga may sakit na walang pampa-ospital o walang pambili ng gamot,” he added.
Senator Go lamented the financial struggles faced by many BHWs, who often endure economic hardships while providing critical services to the public.
“Buong-buo ang kanilang pagse-serbisyo kahit pa pag-uwi nila sa bahay, sila mismo—walang-wala at hindi rin malaman kung saan kukuha ng panggastos,” he said.
Currently, BHWs are classified only as volunteers, receiving little to no government support despite their essential function in the healthcare system. The measure aims to change this by granting them a monthly honorarium of at least PhP 3,000, transportation allowance, subsistence and hazard pay for qualified BHWs, insurance coverage, and an annual cash gift, among other benefits.
Senator Go underscored the urgency of passing the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers to ensure that their sacrifices are properly compensated, rather than remaining empty promises.
“It is only imperative for us to listen to their needs. It is high time that we institutionalize compensation for our heroes in the barangay. Huwag na po natin silang paulit-ulit na pangakuan at sa huli ay pwedeng mauwi lang naman sa wala,” he said.
The senator expressed confidence that the passage of the bill would mark a significant milestone in formally recognizing the contributions of BHWs to the country’s healthcare system.
“This will be a landmark legislation that would recognize Barangay Health Workers as unsung heroes who work tirelessly to ensure that essential health services are delivered in the community,” Senator Go said.
Moreover, Senator Go also highlighted the struggles BHWs faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing their indispensable role in vaccination efforts and health monitoring at the barangay level.
“Noong panahon ng pandemya, sila po ang hero natin, sila ‘yung umiikot sa ka-barangay, tumutulong po sa pagbabakuna. Noong pandemya din po, ipinasa natin ang batas para bigyan sila ng health emergency allowance o HEA,” he said.
“Sa kakaikot ko po sa buong bansa, maraming BHWs ang nag-aapela ng kompensasyon mula sa gobyerno. Ang lagi nga nilang sigaw—HEA! HEA! HEA!” Senator Go recounted.
The current backlog relates directly to an earlier legislative milestone, Republic Act No. 11712, passed in the previous Congress which Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors. This act grants mandatory benefits and allowances to both public and private health workers during public health emergencies such as COVID-19. However, despite the lifting of the state of public health emergency in 2023, a significant volume of unpaid claims and appeals remain unaddressed.
“Finally, after 12 hearings dito sa Senado, nakapag-release na po ng PhP 27 billion sa HEA dahil services rendered na po ito. Pinagpawisan at pinagpaguran na po nila ito,” he stated.
As part of his visits in various localities, Senator Go and his team continues to distribute essential items and various forms of support to Barangay Health Workers such as grocery packs and snacks as a token of gratitude for their dedication to community healthcare.
He commended their vital role in delivering health services, saying, “Kayo po ang unang nilalapitan ng ating mga kababayan. Malaking tulong ang inyong serbisyo sa tagumpay ng ating mga programang pangkalusugan.”
The measure now moves forward in the legislative process, bringing the country closer to providing long-overdue support for its community health volunteers.
