AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray T. Reyes said barangay services should not be affected by the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and reminded incumbent barangay officials to continue to perform their official duties even as the campaign period started on October 19.
“Paalala lang po sa ating mga incumbent barangay officials na kahit simula na ng campaign period sa October 19, hindi pa rin natatapos ang kanilang trabaho sa barangay,” Reyes said.
Reyes cited barangay officials and volunteers who assisted AnaKalusugan in launching their Free Flu and Anti-Pneumonia Vaccination Drive in Bauan, Batangas amid the busy campaign preparations.
Reyes said that during the campaign period, incumbent barangay officials are still expected to deliver effective health and social services for their constituents.
“Napakahalaga po ng mga programa sa ating mga barangay lalo na ang health services at hindi po dapat maging hadlang ang pangangampanya sa pagbibigay ng karampatang serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
He cited barangay officials and volunteers who assisted AnaKalusugan in launching their Free Flu and Anti-Pneumonia Vaccination Drive in Bauan, Batangas amid the busy campaign preparations, as well as those who are assisting preparations for similar vaccination drives lined up in other areas in Batangas, Bulacan and Antique.
“Maraming salamat sa ating mga katuwang na barangay officials at volunteers na tumulong sa paglunsad ng ating vaccination drive. Sila ang mga huwarang lingkod bayan na inuuna ang serbisyo sa komunidad at sa kapwa,” he added.
The lawmaker reiterated his support for just compensation for barangay officials and said AnaKalusugan Party-list will continue to push for the passage of House Bill No. 1829 which seeks to empower barangay health workers (BHWs) and provide them additional health benefits, compensation, and incentives.
“Patuloy po nating isusulong ang panukalang batas na ito para marami pa ang maengganyo na maglingkod sa ating mga komunidad,” he said.
“Hindi po matatawaran ang serbisyo ng ating mga BHWs at lubhang mahalaga ng kanilang ginagawang trabaho lalong lalo na sa mga barangay na malayo pa sa mga ospital,” Reyes added.
Under the proposed measure, BHWs will be entitled to incentives that include hazard allowance, transportation allowance, subsistence allowance, one-time retirement cash incentive health benefits, insurance coverage, as well as vacation and maternity leaves.
The bill also seeks to provide BHWs with opportunities for career enrichment through educational programs and scholarship benefits.
