Health workers in Tabuk City to get ‘additional cash service incentives’

Tabuk City, Kalinga―The Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the city who rendered more than 10 years in the public health and safety may soon be granted with additional service incentive up to PhP20,000.

Presided by Vice Mayor Bernard Glenn Dao-as, Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod discussed the ordinance amending certain provisions of the benefit to the BHWs and BNS during its regular session today, June 10.

Ordinance amending section 7 of the BHWs and BNS assistance, benefits, and incentive code of 2019 to include additional service incentive was discussed and approved on its 2nd reading .

It can be recalled that Ordinance number 001, series of 2020 was vetoed by the city mayor based on the City Legal Office’s comment that the claim for ‘retirement benefits’ has no legal basis since the beneficiaries are not considered as regular employees of the City Government.

Thus, it was moved that the term ‘additional service incentive’ should instead be used for retiring BHWs and BNS.

BHWs and BNS are among the frontline workers rendering services voluntarily in the barangays and that granting additional incentive is one of the government’s way of recognizing their efforts and contributions for the promotion of public health and safety of community.

Thus, all accredited BHW and BNS are entitled to receive an Additional Service Incentive from the City local government to recognize their length of voluntary health care and nutrition services.

Accredited BHW or BNS should have rendered at least ten (10) years of accumulated health care or nutrition services as certified by the Local Health Board.

PhP10,000 shall be granted to those who rendered at least 10 years but not more than 20 years while PhP20,000 for those who are in the service for more than 20 years.

As of 2021, there will be 2 qualified BHW and BNS who are in service for at least 10 years but not more than 20 years and only 8 qualified BHW and BNS who have rendered more than 20 years of service. This required the allotment of PhP180,000 total fund.