CSC urges BHWs to apply for eligibility

CEBU, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has urged barangay health workers (BHWs) to apply for career service eligibility which they can use in applying for permanent positions in the government.

CSC chairperson Karlo Nograles cited CSC Resolution No.992845 dated December 29, 1999, which grants civil service eligibility to BHWs in recognition of their voluntary service to the community.

The CSC issued the resolution pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 7883, or the Barangay Health Workers  Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995.

 Our BHWs, although volunteers, are vital frontliners in our mission to provide accessible and reliable primary healthcare services at the local level,  Nograles said.

 The Barangay Health Worker Eligibility (BHWE) serves as a token of appreciation, recognizing not only their invaluable role as special partners in promoting a healthier nation but also their dedication to public service,  he added.

Under the CSC resolution, a BHWE may be granted to a Local Health Board-accredited BHW who has completed at least two years of college education and has voluntarily rendered at least five years of  continuous, active and satisfactory  service to the community on a full-time basis.

The CSC stressed that to qualify, the BHW must not have been employed or received any form of salary or compensation from the barangay, except for honoraria, during the time of the voluntary service.

Additionally, the BHW must have been accredited by the Local Health Board prior to fulfilling the five-year voluntary service requirement, the CSC said.

The Commission said the BHWE is special civil service eligibility, which gives its holder an advantage in applying for permanent government positions.

The CSC said this is because the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7883 specifically mandates government agencies  to give preference to accredited BHWs in the hiring of health personnel, provided that the BHW is qualified for the position being applied for.

Nograles said the special eligibility may be used by the BHWs in applying for first-level positions in the government, except for positions under Categories I and IV of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 11, s. 1996 which require passing of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trade tests and licensure exams of appropriate agencies, respectively, as well as positions which require passing Board examinations.

 By providing BHWs with the special eligibility, CSC hopes to give them an advantage in applying for positions in the government. Should the BHWs later become permanent employees of the government, their volunteer services shall be included in the computation of their retirement benefits,  Nograles said.

Applications may be filed with the CSC Regional or Field Office having jurisdiction over the barangay where the applicant has rendered voluntary services.

For the complete list of requirements and application procedure, the CSC advised the interested health workers to visit its website https://csc.gov.ph/special-eligibilities/barangay-health-worker-eligibility. -- FPL