Gov. Gwen Garcia joined the 10,000-strong Barangay Health Workers from all over the Province during the BHW Day at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City on Wednesday, April. 12.
Gov. Gwen was joined by Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman during the annual event which gathered all BHWs from the 51 LGUs of the province.
Roman is the lawmaker behind a measure pending in Congress that seeks to provide BHWs in the country with regular benefits. Roman filed House Bill 6481 or the proposed act establishing the Barangay Health Frontline Medical Services, which seeks to transform barangay health care by providing salaries and continuing learning to BHWs.
The measure proposes to provide a Salary Grade 1 to all legitimate BHWs, thus providing them with regular income. Gov. Gwen, in her speech, expressed confidence that this bill would soon be passed into law, especially under the administration of President Marcos.
Calling Roman a “well regarded” and “well respected” lawmaker, Gov. Gwen expressed optimism that Roman would get the support of her colleagues in passing the landmark measure. In her short message, Roman said Gov. Gwen is one of her inspirations in crafting the said bill.
Gov. Gwen has long been a major supporter of the BHW community in Cebu, recognizing the major roles they play in the development of grassroots communities.
“Ang ganda ng kinabukasan na ating hinaharap tulad ng kinabukasan na aking pinapangako sa lahat ng Sugbuanon,” the governor told the cheering crowd.
During the event, the Provincial Government recognized long-serving BHWs and raffled off prizes for them, including appliances and electric bikes. Its grand prize was an electric motorbike. | Carlo Lorenciana