Councilors eye bigger stipend for barangay health workers

September 14, 2020 Metro BLISTT

The city council is eyeing the increase of the monthly stipend given by the City Government to qualified barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs), and barangay nutrition action officers (BNAOs).
The proposed ordinance introduced by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda seeks to adjust the said stipend from P3,500.00 to P5,000.00.
Tabanda asserted that the current monthly stipend of the said workers is not commensurate with their functions and responsibilities especially during COVID-19 times where they also perform their duties as members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT).
“Normally, they are tasked with the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all activities concerning nutrition, immunization, and health status of the community. However, due to the present health crisis, they are now likewise tasked with various COVID-19 concerns,” Tabanda stressed.
The BHERT is composed of an executive officer, a barangay tanod, and two barangay health workers.
The BHERT members conduct home visitations to arriving residents or the locally stranded individuals (LSI), assist in the city-wide contact tracing, monitor and record the health condition of individuals who are in isolation and quarantine, and submit reports on the COVID-19 situation in their respective barangays.
The funds for the purpose shall come from savings or from any available funds of the city and shall be included in the budget of the City Health Services Office (CHSO) next year.
JG Habbiling