BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines — The municipal government of Bontoc will increase the honorarium given to barangay health workers (BHW) in recognition of their sacrifices, especially amid the COVID pandemic.
The municipal council recently passed a resolution institutionalizing the BHW Financial Aid Ordinance of 2021.
The Sangguniang Bayan said the BHWs’ role in the early interventions to contain the pandemic is significant in the government’s health programs.
The council said that barangay health workers enforce quarantine rules in their respective areas, monitor and report suspected COVID cases, and deliver provisions and relief to the patients.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey approved the resolution, saying it is right to increase the health workers’ honorarium as they are frontliners in providing quality health services to the people.
Barangay health workers in Bontoc used to receive a yearly honorarium of P1,500. In 2018, the amount was increased to P7,500 and to P8,000 in 2020.
With the approval of the resolution, each BHW in Bontoc will receive P10,000, which will be given in full every December.
To be eligible for the honorarium, a BHW should serve continuously for a minimum of three months in a year.