Press Release
February 20, 2009

Enrile pays tribute to rural health workers, vows full Senate support

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile today said the Senate will prioritize pending measures that will professionalize barangay health workers, including proposals to amend and update Republic Act No. 7883, or the Magna Carta for Health Workers.

Speaking before the 11th Barangay Health Workers District Congress of the Urdaneta District in Asingan, Pangasinan, Enrile disclosed that Congress will soon tackle a bill mandating the appointment of at least one health worker in every barangay to strengthen the country's health care system in grassroots.

"I assure you that the Philippine Senate shall give priority to measures that will improve the welfare of the barangay health workers and strengthen the country's health care system. We are aware of the numerous problems of the health sector and we are trying to address these through legislation," Enrile said. "There is a need to revisit Republic Act No. 7883, the Magna Carta for Health Workers, to update its provisions and become more responsive to the needs of our barangay health workers. Your concerns on security of tenure, adequate training, health benefits and other entitlements must be addressed."

In his speech, Enrile urged local officials to support the programs of barangay health workers, noting that the enactment of the 1991 Local Government Code mandated that health and social welfare services be devolved to local governments

"While I do believe that dealing with these basic concerns of yours would be the best possible way to repay your kind deed and heroism, let me underscore here that this is a collective undertaking," Enrile told his audience.

The Senate President said continuous training and professionalization of barangay health workers should be encouraged with the help of the business sector, especially the pharmaceutical industry.

"Providing training and information campaign on health, nutrition and sanitation by the industry players and stakeholders is also a form of corporate social responsibility," he said. "There is so much that can be done and, indeed, we can all help in strengthening the health care system in our own way."

Enrile lamented that public health continued to suffer from lack of funding in the government expenditures outlay. "During the budget deliberations for the 2009 General Appropriations Act, concerned groups called our attention to the fact that the Philippines continues to score poorly in its effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on health. Note that the World Health Organization requires a country to allocate five percent of its GDP for health expenditure," Enrile said.

"But in the case of the Philippines, with an estimated population of 85.3 million, its health expenditure per-capita is a measly P2,120," Enrile explained. "It comes as no surprise therefore that many of our fellowmen continue to suffer from the inaccessibility of health services."

"To compound these glaring problems in the health sector, medical professionals and healthcare workers are one of the least paid in our labor force. No wonder many of them seek greener pastures abroad," he added.

The Senate President paid tribute to the barangay health workers, describing them as "brave men and women who remain dependable and steadfast in your commitment to public service."

"For years, you have been at the forefront of the delivery of health care services especially in the rural areas. You have been the vanguards in the government's effort to combat the most common diseases such as tuberculosis, polio and malaria, among others," Enrile said. "In the hands of barangay health workers, newborns are vaccinated, children's wounds are treated and women are given prenatal and post natal care. You are the first people that women confide in relative to their reproductive health problems."

He called that during his younger days in Cagayan Province, he had his share of personal experiences and encounters with barangay health workers.

"I must tell you that I only have the highest respect and deepest admiration for people who have made life easier for the sick and medically neglected in the barangays," he said. "I hold in high esteem people who sacrifice their time, effort, even resources and who work hard to make a difference in the lives of your community-dwellers without expecting sky high monetary rewards."

"You are the unsung heroes of the modern times. You are the people we turn to in the dead of the night when an infant has a raging fever or is suffering from stomach problems. You are a formidable force in the community because you know almost everyone, and people look up to you because they run to you when they need medical attention," Enrile pointed out.

"Because of your substantial contribution to the health and well-being of our people, you have already carved an enviable niche in your respective communities. However, I hope you will not rest on your laurels but, instead, will continue to seek ways on how to deliver the best service possible," he added.

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