Rowegie Abanto

Obando Health center doctors and nurses attend to evacuees at the Obando National Highschool evacuation site in Obando Bulacan on April 20, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Obando Health center doctors and nurses attend to evacuees at the Obando National Highschool evacuation site in Obando Bulacan on April 20, 2026. What began as an immediate surge of particulate matter has evolved into a localized health crisis, particularly for the residents of Barangay Salambao. People are now being treated for various respiratory infections. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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NAVOTAS SANITARY LANDFILL- FIRE

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178575565104720260420-navotas-sanitary-landfill-impacts-JC4637.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Obando Health center doctors and nurses attend to evacuees at the Obando National Highschool evacuation site in Obando Bulacan on April 20, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Voting 20-0, the Senate approved the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHW) — a measure it already approved in the preceding Congress.</div>Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, explained the significant portions of the measure.&quot;Unang nilalapitan ang mga BHWs kapag mayroong may sakit, outbreak, o krisis, pero madalas sila rin ang huling nabibigyan ng suporta,&quot; said Hontiveros.&quot;Tutuldukan ng pinasa naming Magna Carta of BHWs ang kakulangan ng suporta at benepisyo ng mga frontline health workers natin sa mga barangay.&quot;Hontiveros said that once it becomes law, the Magna Carta of BHWs will provide them a monthly volunteer benefit of at least P3,000, financial support for transportation, hazard allowance, cash gift, loyalty incentive, insurance, free legal aid, and psychosocial and mental health services.Likewise, it will provide for the registration, certification, training, and continued learning of BHWs, along with paths for further education, scholarship, civil service eligibility, plantilla positions, and recognition of their years of service for retirement benefits.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/29/lawmakers-lament-alleged-unequal-pay-among-public-health-workers-1639">Lawmakers lament alleged unequal pay among public health workers, salary equalization fund proposed</a></div>&quot;Sa ilalim ng Magna Carta of BHWs, sasaluhin ng national government sa pamamagitan ng BHW Deployment Subsidy ang bahagi ng gastos para sa mga benepisyo ng BHWs, lalo na sa mga LGU na hindi kayang pondohan ito,&quot; Hontiveros said. &quot;Tiniyak natin na walang LGU na maiiwan sa ere dahil lang kulang ang kanilang financial capacity kumpara sa ibang LGU.&quot;Sen. JV Ejercito, who shepherded the bill to approval in the 19th Congress, explained its importance for the barangay health workers. &quot;They are the frontliners. They are the first line of defense, ika nga, sa universal healthcare. Yung preventive side ay malaking bagay po ang barangay health workers. Kung hindi po ay mapapamahal tayo lalo kung hindi natin pangangalagaan ang preventive side at kung nandun na ho tayo pag nagkasakit na,&quot; he said.In a separate statement, Sen. Loren Legarda also explained other benefits: &quot;Cities and municipalities may also provide a subsistence allowance, subject to the availability of funds, to volunteer BHWs serving in unserved or underserved barangays where they are not residents,&quot; she said.It also also institutionalizes a continuing education and training program under the DOH and TESDA, establishes a National BHW Information System, and declares April 7 of every year as Barangay Health Workers Day.Legarda also said it provides BHWs with GSIS insurance coverage, free legal services from the Public Attorney&#x27;s Office, scholarship or financial assistance for one child of a BHW, and sub-professional civil service eligibility after five years of continuous and satisfactory service, with their years of service credited toward retirement benefits if they are later appointed as regular government employees.&quot;Pagdating sa kalusugan ng komunidad, ang mga barangay health worker ang unang nilalapitan kapag may batang kailangang bakunahan, buntis na kailangang magabayan, matandang kailangang magamot, o pamilyang kailangang alalayan sa panahon ng karamdaman. Ngunit sa kabila ng bigat ng kanilang tungkulin, nananatiling kulang ang kanilang tinatanggap na honorarium, benepisyo, at proteksiyon,&quot; Legarda said in a statement.Sen. Joel Villanueva and Senator Camille Villar also backed the bill.&quot;Investing in our Barangay Health Workers is investing in preventive healthcare. It is investing in healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient healthcare system,&quot; Villar said.

Voting 20-0, the Senate approved the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHW) — a measure it already approved in the preceding Congress.

Voting 20-0, the Senate approved the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers (BHW) — a measure it already approved in the preceding Congress.

Senate OKs magna carta for barangay health workers

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Senate OKs magna carta for barangay health workers

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 03, 2026 07:43 PM PHT

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Barangay Health Workers

Senate

Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers

Risa Hontiveros

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