Philippine barangay health workers urge action on long-awaited Magna Carta

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Philippine barangay health workers urge action on long-awaited Magna Carta

Rajendra Kumar Acharya UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary | UNI Global Union

By Sky Industry News

Aug 7, 2025

As Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. prepares for his fourth State of the Nation Address, UNI Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) and the National Federation of Barangay Health Workers are urging him to renew his commitment to the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers.

Barangay health workers (BHWs), crucial to the public health system, lack job security, fair compensation, and recognition. Many work for decades on small honoraria without benefits or legal safeguards. Some earn as little as 1 USD to 2 USD monthly in rural areas.

Khonan Dark Cerial, President of the National Federation of Barangay Health Workers and leader in Central Visayas Region, expressed hope that President Marcos will remember his promise. “We hope that in ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ (New Philippines), we will not be left behind," said Cerial. He urged the President to prioritize the Magna Carta for BHWs in the 20th Congress and include it in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council agenda.

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The proposed Magna Carta aims to ensure fair pay, job security, training access, benefits, and legal protection for over 250,000 BHWs nationwide. Though it passed both chambers of the 19th Congress on third reading, it failed after a last-minute withdrawal by the House of Representatives—a move seen by many BHWs as a betrayal.

Myrna Gaite, President of the BHW Federation in the National Capital Region, stressed that this injustice should not recur. “Mr. President... don’t let the broken promises of past administrations be repeated,” she stated.

Roland De La Cruz, UNI-PLC President, highlighted that passing the Magna Carta could be a defining legacy for Marcos's administration amid goals for universal healthcare. “President Marcos... Let the Magna Carta be a true legacy of your leadership,” he said.

Rajendra Acharya from UNI Asia & Pacific echoed these sentiments noting global attention on this issue. “The international labor movement is paying attention,” Acharya remarked.

As anticipation builds around SONA, BHWs ask only to be recognized as essential workers deserving dignity and respect.