Senator JV Ejercito
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Senador JV Ejercito is urging his fellow senators to also support the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).
Ejercito, who visited Cebu on Friday, October 6, to attend the BHWs Summit held at IEC Convention Center in Cebu City, said that if approved, the Magna Carta would ensure that BHWs get just compensation and benefits.
Currently, BHWs in Cebu receive monthly honorarium or allowances of P5, 000 each from the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The senator said that BHWs deserve more.
Ejercito said that BHWs are modern-day heroes. As frontliners, they also risked their lives and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ang ating mga BHW serves as foot soldiers. Underpaid, pero overwork,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito said that aside from providing them just compensation, the Magna Carta will also ensure that BHWs have security of tenure.
This means that they will remain employed despite changes in the leadership of their respective barangays.
“Kailangan meron silang security of tenure kasi sayang naman ang kanilang training at knowledge kung papalitan sila ng bagong barangay captain,” Ejercito added.
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his support for the passage of the proposed bill in recognition of the BHWs invaluable services as frontliners. / dcb
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