FORTY-EIGHT retired barangay health workers (BHWs) who rendered more than 10 years of service were recognized and each given a P10,000 cash award yesterday by the Community Health Workers Association of Cebu Province.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said the annual event recognizes senior BHWs who pass criteria set by the association.
The cash incentives were from contributions accumulated by the association every year.
Felipa Vequiso, a 68-year-old BHW from Oslob town, southern Cebu, cried upon receiving her certificate and cash award. She said this was her first time to receive such an amount after her long years of service.
Vequiso said she would spend the money on milk and fruits to celebrate the New Year.
In 1984 when she started as a BHW, she received P25 a month for her transportation fare. For six years, she didn’t receive a salary.
“Nakahinumdom ko sa among kalisud sa una (I remember all the hardships we’ve been through),” she said.
For the last ten years, BHWs received a P600 monthly allowance, she said.
Vequiso is taking care of two grandchildren, whose parents are in Manila.
She said the parents could only afford to send P2,500 a month, an amount sorely inadequate since both children are in school.
Gracel Navaja Menguito, the youngest child of Luvizminda Navaja, received her mother’s award since her mother is still recuperating in the hospital after she was hit by a motorcycle while crossing a pedestrian lane last Nov. 9.
She said her mother has been confined for one month and now faces financial difficulties.
“Pero wala mi gipabayad,” Menguito said in Cebuano.