479 health workers not paid for 2 months

CEBU, Philippines - At least 479 Barangay Health Workers in Cebu City are yet to receive two months worth of salary in the fourth quarter this year amounting to a total of P10.83 million.

The amount covers the honoraria of 479 BHWs for the months of October to December. Each health worker receives a monthly honorarium of P5,500 from the city government.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the city cannot disburse funds unless the payroll is ready and done.

 “Since October wala pa mi na-process na payment kay wala paman pud mi nadawat nga payroll,” she explained.

 Councilor Margarita Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on budget and finance, said the delayed payment is somehow “inhuman” and “unfair.”

 “Our BHWs are not getting their salaries on time. It’s just seemed inhumane to do that. They should have get their honoraria on time. They can’t feed their family by just understanding,” she said.

 Cuevas pointed out that the delay often starts with the department itself and BHWs who submit their accomplishment reports and daily time record late.

 “They are placed in a precarious situation, treated as an international football. At this point of time wala pa na-resolve. Let’s put a rest with the issue of the BHWs,” Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos also said.

 Moreover, City Health Department chief Dr. Daisy Villa said BHWs are being recommended by their respective barangays to the Local Health Board for concurrence. Once approved, the health workers have to volunteer for six months at the city’s barangay health centers without pay.

 Councilor Hanz Abella argued that the said policy is not just.

 “So what’s the rationale of this—we allow volunteer without pay? We might be giving them false hopes,” he contended.

 Councilor Alvin Dizon said the city has to review the policy on compensation to avoid inequality.

 “There’s a need to review the compensation policies because we approved a budget for the honoraria of our BHWs pero wa sila gi-sweldohan on time,” he said.

 Councilor Nida Cabrera agreed, saying, “hiring a volunteer without pay is highly questionable. We have to compensate them.”

On the other hand, the CHD is proposing P39.6 million for an additional 100 BHWs next year, on top of the existing 479 health workers.

 Also, P600,000 for the training of BHW (P1,000 each), P1.8 million for BHW kits like uniform, boots, umbrella, salter, logbook and other supplies (P3,000 each).  (FREEMAN)