DOH-DILG memorandum ensures tenure of BHWs

CEBU, Philippines —  The security of tenure of barangay health workers (BHW) is now assured in view of a joint memorandum circular (JMC) signed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Aug. 24, a party-list lawmaker said yesterday.

According to Barangay Health and Wellness party-list Representative Angelica Natasha Co, JMC 2023-001 signed by DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos aims to “ensure uninterrupted delivery of primary care services to the community.”

The JMC provides that “voluntary basic health services” rendered by BHW shall be retained, “unless otherwise their performance is unsatisfactory as deliberated within the local health board.”

Co noted the JMC provides protection to BHW against removal by barangay chairpersons who will be elected in October.

She underscored “while waiting for the Magna Carta to become law, this JMC will be able to protect BHWs from politically-motivated and unjust removal from their posts.”

“The JMC 001-2023 enforces the BHW Incentives and Benefits Act of 1995 and the Universal Health Care Act. It has general and specific guidelines, transitory provisions, and defines the roles of the local health boards, local government units, and national agencies—all of which were crafted to make sure BHWs are protected against unjust removal from their posts,” she added.

The lawmaker cautioned that local officials who will violate the JMC face administrative sanctions, including investigation and show cause orders.

“Though the JMC gives three years for signing up, the sooner the BHWs are registered with the local health boards, the better for BHWs, so those who are not yet registered with the LHBs should do so and make sure they are listed. This signup directive reiterates previous orders. It is not new, but the JMC puts in more protective provisions for BHWs,” she maintained. — Sheila Crisostomo, Philippine Star News Service