Sen. Joseph Victor 鈥淛V鈥� Ejercito is the principal author and sponsor of the bill. 鈥擣ile photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) is one step closer to becoming a law after the Senate approved the bill on its third and final reading during Monday鈥檚 plenary session.
Senate Bill No. 2838 was approved with 19 affirmative votes, zero negative, and zero abstentions.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, principal author and sponsor of the measure, said this long-overdue legislation would finally fulfill the promise of better recognition and support for BHWs.
鈥淭he journey of this bill has become very challenging. And yet, here we are today, passing it on third and final reading. The last steps of passing this bill into law [are] upon the horizon,鈥� he said.
鈥淭hey are an extension of the Department of Health in our communities. They are offering services as part of our preventive healthcare system. But most importantly, they answered their calling during the pandemic and served as frontliners. They are heroes in their own right,鈥� he added.
READ: Bongbong Marcos pushes for Magna Carta for barangay health workers
The bill seeks to institutionalize fair and standardized compensation for BHWs, ensuring a minimum monthly honorarium of P3,000, along with subsistence and travel allowances.
It also seeks to provide for national government subsidies to help fund BHW compensation, particularly in third- to fifth-class municipalities.