PASAY CITY—The Senate took big steps to boost community health and national security during its plenary session on August 3.

Voting 20-0-0, senators unanimously passed Senate Bill No. 1905, also known as the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), on third and final reading. 

Besides this health win, lawmakers debated Senate Bill No. 2272 to expand school feeding programs and combat child hunger. 

They also moved to strengthen defense ties by reviewing visiting forces agreements with Canada and New Zealand.

Key Senate leaders strongly backed the passage of the health bill, emphasizing how much BHWs sacrifice for local communities. 

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito highlighted how BHWs often face political displacement despite their years of dedicated service. 

“This bill is a product of years of hearings, consultations, technical discussions, and the collective effort of everyone who believes that our barangay health workers deserve more than words,” Ejercito said. 

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva agreed, adding, “Sa pagpapalakas ng kanilang pagsasanay, pagbibigay ng mas maayos na benepisyo, at pagkilala sa mahalagang papel na kanilang ginagampanan, mas lalo rin nating pinatitibay ang pundasyon ng ating Universal Health Care system at mas nailalapit ang dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bawat Pilipino.”

Senators emphasized that BHWs act as the true backbone of local healthcare, making their protection a top priority. 

Senator Raffy Tulfo pointed out that BHWs work tirelessly on the ground regardless of difficult conditions.

 “Ang ating barangay health workers ang tunay na first line of defense ng ating health system. Rain or shine, present sila para maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan… Mr. President, bilang co-author ng panukalang ito, panahon na para suklian natin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga barangay health workers,” Tulfo said. 

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan added that proper care for frontliners is essential to achieve universal health care. 

“Panahon na para suklian natin sila ng sapat na proteksyon, makatarungang benepisyo, tuloy-tuloy na pagsasanay, at tunay na pagkilala sa kanilang napakahalagang papel sa ating mga komunidad. Kung seryoso tayo sa pangarap na magkaroon ng universal health care, dapat seryoso rin tayong alagaan ang mga taong araw-araw na nagsasakatuparan nito sa grassroots, sa mga barangay,” Pangilinan said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, guided the measure through the Senate and stressed its legal safeguards. 

She explained that the bill sets up a clear system for registration, continuous training, and protection against unjust removal from their jobs. 

“Sa ating Magna of Barangay Health Workers, malinaw nating kinikilala ang mga BHW bilang mahalagang bahagi ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan. Hindi lamang sila katulong, hindi lamang sila tagaabot ng impormasyon. Sila ay tunay na katuwang sa primary health care. at sa pagpapatupad ng universal health,” Hontiveros said.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, stressed the urgent need to guarantee compensation for BHWs, especially in remote areas where they are often the only medical presence available. 

Reminding colleagues of past struggles to secure pandemic allowances, Go stated, "By giving the Barangay Health Workers the recognition that they have fundamental rights, it is saying that these are also their human rights."

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed the bill’s passage as a crucial step toward building a complete and fair healthcare system. 

Cayetano noted how local health workers in Taguig played a vital role in keeping child stunting rates low, proving the power of grassroots health programs. 

Looking at the bigger picture for national health reform, Cayetano stated, "There is so much more that we can do to build a health system we can all be proud of... It’s about time that we look at the health system holistically.”

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