Cebu City dad seeks more protection for BHWs

Local

CEBU CITY may soon formalize protections for barangay health workers through a new ordinance.

Councilor Mikel Rama has filed a proposed ordinance that seeks to institutionalize the welfare, accreditation, and tenure protection of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Cebu City.

Titled the “Barangay Health Workers Welfare and Protection Ordinance of Cebu City,” the measure aims to address persistent issues faced by BHWs, many of whom continue to serve without pay while taking on critical frontline public health responsibilities.

“This measure is about dignity, protection, and structure,” Rama said. “Our BHWs deserve more than tokens of appreciation; they deserve systems that safeguard their service.”

The proposed ordinance outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at improving the management and welfare of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).

It seeks to establish a citywide registration and accreditation system, standardize BHW deployment based on population ratios, and create a BHW Grievance and Tenure Protection Committee to protect workers from politicized removals and ensure fair grievance resolution.

Additionally, the ordinance aims to provide city-funded honoraria as well as accident and life insurance, offer access to psychosocial support and training opportunities in collaboration with the City Health Office and the Department of Health (DOH).

It also ensures that BHWs receive priority eligibility for civil service exams and local government job pipelines.

To guarantee sustainability, the measure mandates that BHW funding be integrated into the Local Development Investment Program (LDIP) and Annual Investment Plan (AIP), safeguarding it beyond political cycles.

A one-year transition period is proposed to allow all existing BHWs to undergo updated accreditation, with no disruption to their service. This aligns with DOH-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2023-001.

Rama, a neophyte councilor, said the ordinance builds on his earlier Legal Aid Ordinance, which seeks to establish barangay legal aid desks and expand access to free legal assistance.

“From legal aid to primary care, the goal is the same: build a city where the frontliners are not just used, they’re protected,” Rama said.

If passed, the measure would make Cebu City one of the first highly urbanized cities in the country to legislate comprehensive tenure protection for its BHWs, setting a local precedent for implementing Universal Health Care at the grassroots level.

The proposed ordinance is expected to be taken up in committee on Tuesday, July 22.(TGP)