QUEZON CITY – As President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. prepares to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the National Federation of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and the UNI Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) are renewing their appeal for the President to make good on his long-standing promise to support the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers—a measure that would finally grant legal recognition, fair pay, and protection to over 250,000 BHWs nationwide.
Despite serving as the backbone of the country’s grassroots public health system, many barangay health workers continue to work under precarious conditions—without job security, adequate compensation, or basic labor rights.
In remote areas, some BHWs earn as little as ₱50 to ₱100 per month, surviving only on honoraria, often without benefits or social protection.
Khonan Dark Cerial, President of the National Federation of BHWs and leader of the Central Visayas BHW Federation, voiced the collective frustration and hope of health workers across the country:>
“Sana po sa Bagong Pilipinas, hindi kami maiwan. Sana kasama kami sa pagbabago,” Cerial said.(“We hope that in ‘Bagong Pilipinas’, we will not be left behind. We want to be part of the change.”)>
“Umaasa po kami na paninindigan ng Pangulo ang kanyang pangako at muling isusulong ang Magna Carta ng mga BHW bilang priority measure sa 20th Congress, at isama ito muli sa LEDAC.”
(“We hope the President will honor his word and reintroduce the Magna Carta as a priority measure in the 20th Congress and include it again in the LEDAC agenda.”)
The proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers aims to institutionalize fair compensation, security of tenure, access to training and benefits, and legal protection.
While it successfully passed both chambers of the 19th Congress, the measure ultimately stalled after the House of Representatives withdrew its transmittal at the last minute—a move that BHWs described as a betrayal.Myrna Gaite, President of the BHW Federation in the National Capital Region, called for an end to the decades-long delay:>
“Kung totoo pong mahal niyo ang mga barangay health workers kagaya ng sinabi niyo noon, huwag n’yo pong hayaang maulit ang pangakong napako ng mga nakaraang administrasyon. Tapusin niyo na po ang apat na dekada naming paghihintay. Ngayon na ang panahon.”
(“If you truly value us, don’t repeat the broken promises of past administrations. End our 40-year wait. The time is now.”)
Roland De La Cruz, President of UNI-PLC, underscored the national and global significance of the legislation:>
“President Marcos, you have the power to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of barangay health workers. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Let the Magna Carta be a true legacy of your leadership.”
“If we are serious about achieving universal healthcare, we must stop abandoning the very people who make it possible.
And that begins with our barangay health workers.”Rajendra Acharya, Regional Secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific, added that the international labor community is watching closely:>
“At the recent International Labour Conference, protecting community health workers was a major agenda. President Marcos has the chance to show the world that the Philippines stands for care justice and decent work.
The Magna Carta for BHWs must be passed without delay.”As the country awaits the President’s SONA, BHWs say they ask for only one thing: to finally be seen not just as volunteers, but as essential public health workers—deserving of dignity, security, and respect under the law.