Ni Charissa M. Luci-Atienza
Nagpahayag ng pagkabahala ang isang mambabatas kaugnay sa paggamit sa ilang barangay health workers sa kampanya ng mga politiko.
Nanawagan si Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo sa Department of Health (DoH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at sa Civil Service Commission (CSC) na tiyakin ang proteksiyon ng barangay health workers.
“The ‘security of tenure’ of our nationwide army of barangay health workers is now in jeopardy as some incumbent and aspiring barangay officials are using the BHWs’ security or lack thereof as a strategy option in the ongoing barangay elections campaign,” saad sa kanyang pahayag.
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“As I have been touching base with the constituencies of KABAYAN Party-List at ground level during this summer break of the session of Congress, it has come to my attention that some barangay health workers are being used as pawns in the political campaign,” aniya pa.
Sinabi ni Salo na ilang barangay health workers ang tinatakot na patalsikin sa puwesto, habang ang iba pa ay pinupuwersang suportahan ang ilang kandidato.
“This is unfortunate inasmuch as the barangay election is supposed to be non-partisan. More so with the BHWs, who should be apolitical. Besides, illnesses do not distinguish political colors, neither the health and condition of our people,” aniya.
Hiniling din ni Salo na suportahan ang kanyang House Bill 4277 na naglalayong pagkalooban ng civil service eligibility, incentives, benefits, security of tenure, regular allowances, at iba pang social protections ang BHWs.
Umaasa siya na matalakay at maipasa ang panukala sa 17th Congress.
“Perhaps, an executive order by the President can make this happen, and we appeal to the DILG, DOH and CSC to fully support such measure,” ani Salo.
