Altermidya
By KESSHA CARREON
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY – On National Health Workers’ Day (NHWD), May 7, Baguio City health workers and other groups held a Unity March from Post Office Loop to Baguio General Hospital Garden to call for the recognition and protection of those working in the public and private health sector.
Led by the Coalition of Health Workers’ Organizations in the Cordillera, the marchers underscored the need for fair compensation and benefits, job security, and an end to inhumane working conditions. They also demanded the end of contractualization and for authorities to address hospital understaffing.
Dr. Frederick Mars Untalan, one of the convenors of the coalition, said despite being the backbone of the healthcare system, many health workers struggle to have a decent life because of low wages and lack of job security.
“Mahalaga po na sama-sama tayo na naririto sa ibaba para maipaglaban natin yung mga pangangailangan nating mga health workers sa itaas… kung hindi tayo kikibo, walang mangyayari sa atin,” said Untalan.
(It’s crucial for all of us here on the ground to fight for the needs of health workers to the top… if we remain silent, nothing will change for us.)
A law passed in July 1992, the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers or Republic Act No. 7305, protects the rights of health professionals working in government health institutions. The legislation also provides means for workers to develop professionally and ensure accountability.
No such law governs the private sector, but a bill is pending in the House of Representatives Committee on Health.
In November 2022, Makabayan Bloc filed House Bill No. 6132, or the proposed Magna Carta of Private Health Workers, which seeks to grant private health workers the same benefits as those in the public sector.
Maristela Presto-Abenojar, Filipino Nurse United vice president, explained why the proposed Magna Carta of Private Health Workers uses “of” instead of “for.”
“We call it the Magna Carta ‘of’ Private Health Workers because it was not created for us; it was not handed down from the heavens. We fought for it, we worked for it—it is ours,” she said.
Abenojar stressed: “The life of health workers is linked to the life of the Filipino people,” underlining the need for an entry-level salary of ₱33,000 per month, humane working conditions, and appropriate compensation and benefits.
She added that health workers can only secure the legislation needed to improve their conditions through collective action and fighting for their rights. # nordis.net
