'TRAIN-hit' health workers march with 'black hearts' in V-Day protest

Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/02/14/black-heart-021418.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Health workers call on the Duterte administration to consider public health as a priority.<em> Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - What Valentine&#x27;s Day? It&#x27;s a &quot;black hearts&quot; day for health workers who marched to Mendiola in the city&#x27;s capital Wednesday to protest the government&#x27;s tax reform package.</p><p>The health workers, composed of nurses, hospital staff, midwives and medical personnel, carried black hearts, instead of red ones, which they believe is more apt for a &quot;heartless administration.&quot;</p><p>In a short program, a train effigy &quot;ran over&quot; the health workers to symbolize how the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law affected their lives.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/02/14/ran-over-021418.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>&quot;Sinagasaan ng TRAIN law&quot; is how health workers describe the tax reform law&#x27;s effect on them. <em>Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>According to the protesters, the lower income tax was not enough to address their financial problems. For them, an increase in wages should be prioritized by President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s administration. </p><p>Nurse Christie Donguinez said entry level wages for nurses, both in government and private hospitals, must be standardized to at least P30,000.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/02/14/red-ribbons-021418.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Protesters tie red ribbons to their arms, symbolizing their love for their work and service to the poor. <em>Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>She also hopes the law authored by Senator Antonio Trillanes requiring registered and licensed professionals 45 additional credit units to renew their license will be repealed. </p><p>Donguinez said the required credit units, acquired by undergoing training given by providers accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission, are too expensive for low-income nurses.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/02/14/anti-cpd-021418.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Wearing their work uniforms,nurses from different hospitals appeal for a raise in their salaries so they could make a decent living. <em>Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Robert Mendoza, president of the Alliance of Health Workers, said the Duterte administration is giving scant attention to the health sector, citing low income and low budget among other things.</p><p>The &quot;black hearts&quot; protest finished before noontime. The health workers said they will go back to their hospitals and clinics with a firmer resolve to fight for their rights.</p>

<p>What Valentine's Day? It's a 'black hearts' day for health workers who marched to Mendiola in the city's capital Wednesday to protest the government's tax reform package.</p>

What Valentine's Day? It's a 'black hearts' day for health workers who marched to Mendiola in the city's capital Wednesday to protest the government's tax reform package.

'TRAIN-hit' health workers march with 'black hearts' in V-Day protest | ABS-CBN

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'TRAIN-hit' health workers march with 'black hearts' in V-Day protest

'TRAIN-hit' health workers march with 'black hearts' in V-Day protest

Kevin Manalo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 14, 2018 01:32 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 14, 2018 09:30 AM PHT

Read More:

Protest

Valentines

Black Hearts

Health Workers

Mendiola

TRAIN law

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