𝗕𝗛𝗪𝘀 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda is urging the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) in the City of Baguio to apply for Civil Service Eligibility in accordance with Republic Act No. 7833 (An Act Granting Benefits And Incentives To Accredited Barangay Health Workers And For Other Purposes), otherwise known as the “Barangay Health Workers Benefits And Incentives Act of 1995.”

Under the act, a BHW refers to a person who has undergone training programs under any accredited government and non-government organization and who voluntarily renders primary health care services in the community after having been accredited to function as such by a local health board in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health (DOH).

In her resolution approved by the city council and signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Tabanda underscored that Section 6 of the said act  provides for incentives and benefits for all BHWs who are actively and regularly performing their duties in recognition of their services.

One of these benefits is the Civil Service Eligibility which, according to the act, is a second grade eligibility which may be granted to a BHW who has rendered five (5) years of continuous service. Should a BHW become a regular employee of the government, the total number of years served as such be credited to his/her service in computing retirement benefits.

The resolution also stressed that, aside from the benefits and privileges stipulated in Republic Act No. 7833, the law also mandates government agencies to give preference to BWHs in hiring health personnel, provided that the BWH is qualified for the position. –Kimberly Badang