QUEZON CITY – The UNI Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) and the National Federation of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) express deep frustration and collective outrage over the Philippine Congress’ failure to pass the long-awaited Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers before the adjournment of the 19th Congress.
Despite both chambers of Congress approving the bill ahead of the May 2025 elections— with the Senate passing its version in February and the House adopting the same to avoid a bicameral process—progress collapsed when the House unexpectedly withdrew its transmittal. For hundreds of thousands of BHWs nationwide, this feels like a “deliberate abandonment and a cruel political betrayal.”
Myrna Gaite, President of the BHW Federation in the National Capital Region, captured the depth of the community’s anger and pain:
“Sa bawat Kongreso, inuulit-ulit lang ang sakit ng pangako na hindi tinutupad. Halos apat na dekada na kaming naglilingkod sa komunidad—karamihan walang sahod, walang benepisyo, walang proteksyon. At ngayon, kung kailan malapit nang mapasa ang Magna Carta, iniwanan na naman kami. Hanggang kailan kami magtitis?”
(“Every Congress repeats the same pain of promises left unfulfilled. We have served our communities for nearly four decades—most of us without pay, without benefits, without protection. And now, just when the Magna Carta was finally within reach, we’ve been abandoned again. How much longer must we endure?”)
The failed passage of the Magna Carta is just one among several pro-worker measures that collapsed at the close of the 19th Congress. Other casualties include the ₱200 legislated wage increase and essential amendments to the Universal Health Care Act. For labor and community health advocates, this is more than legislative inaction—it reflects a systemic disregard for the nation’s essential frontliners.
Roland De La Cruz, President of UNI-PLC, condemned the government’s repeated failures:
“This is yet another broken promise to the 251,000 Barangay Health Workers in this country. Administration after administration has pledged to pass the Magna Carta—only to abandon it at the finish line. How can a government claim to value public health when it continuously fails the very workers who uphold it? This isn’t just negligence—it’s betrayal.”
Alan Sable, Head of UNI Care, acknowledged the disappointment but urged continued resolve:
“Every major union victory I’ve ever been part of had moments when it felt like all was lost—but we kept fighting and found a way. Today, we are angry and sad, but we will keep moving forward and find a path to victory.”
Jamil Mora, President of the BHW Federation of CALABARZON (Region IV-A), rallied fellow BHWs to channel frustration into action:
“Nakakagalit. Nakakaiyak. Pero hindi ito ang katapusan ng laban. Mga kapwa ko BHW, gamitin natin ang galit na ito bilang lakas. Magkaisa tayo. I-organisa natin ang ating sarili. Hindi pa tapos ang laban. We will return to the 20th Congress stronger, more united, and more determined than ever to win the respect and recognition we rightfully deserve.”
As the Magna Carta is shelved once more, BHWs across the country are mobilizing to relaunch their campaign for recognition, compensation, and protection—rights they’ve fought for over nearly four decades. UNI-PLC and the National Federation of Barangay Health Workers have pledged to hold lawmakers accountable and renew their efforts with greater strength.
“Our BHW associations are stronger than ever, and we will carry the fight into the 20th Congress with even more unity and determination,” said Rajendra Acharya, Regional Secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific. “The struggle continues—and we will not back down.”
In a joint statement, the groups concluded:
“This is not defeat—it is a turning point. And we will not stop until every Barangay Health Worker in this country is given the dignity, compensation, and recognition they have long been denied.”