Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) is pushing for the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Congress that will ensure that benefits due them are contained in a law.
He authored House Bill No. 44 that was consolidated with 36 similar bills and approved by the Committee on Local Government, Benitez said Friday, September 10.
The substitute bill provides BHWs with P3,000 minimum monthly honorarium, P1,000 minimum monthly hazard pay, P1,000 minimum monthly transportation allowance and P100 daily subsistence allowance for those in remote areas, he said.
It also provides a P10,000 retirement incentive after 15 years of service, P5,000 maximum medical assistance for emergency conditions, and a 10 percent discount on medicines, Benitez added.
A BWH will also get automatic PhilHealth membership, automatic civil service eligibility after three years of service, paid sick and maternity leave, and free trainings, he said.
The substitute bill is now at the House Committee on Appropriations for approval then it goes back to the Committee on Local Government for a pro forma committee report approval before it goes to plenary, Benitez said.*