Talisay dad pushes gratuity pay for health workers

CEBU, Philippines – Gratuity compensation may be underway for at least 68 barangay health workers in Talisay City who have rendered services for over 30 years.

Talisay City Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, chairman of the Committee on Health, has asked Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to allocate P854,500 for the gratuity pay of barangay health workers who have retired.

Under City Ordinance No. 2004-02, Section 13 states that a barangay health worker who has reached 65 years old shall be forced to retire.

Aznar said as a form of gratuity to the services rendered to the barangay, a BHW shall receive from the City of Talisay the current rate of the subsistence allowance multiplied by the number of years of service as BHW.

However, a BHW, though retired, may continue serving the barangay if she/he so desires but she/he shall no longer be entitled to the subsistence allowance from the city government.

The amount shall be computed in accordance with the prevailing conditions and subject to the availability of funds.

The barangay health workers are receiving P500 monthly from the city.

Aznar said the workers' dedication to serve the grassroots level and their services rendered as frontliners in delivering primary health care must be well compensated.