Adequate compensation for BARMM medical workers pushed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Members of the Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are pushing to enact measures aimed at constructing a new hospital and providing fair compensation for medical workers in the region.

MPs Amilbahar Mawallil, Dr. Hashemi Dilangalen and Hamid Malik are at the forefront for the passage of Parliament Bill 237 or the "Bangsamoro Public Health Workers Compensation Act of 2023."

MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, and Rasul Ismael are also pushing for the enactment of PB 237 as co-authors.

Under the measure, it will mandate the BARMM to recognize the crucial roles played by medical doctors, nurses and other public health workers in the region as it also extends its coverage to all active and regularly performing public health workers employed within BARMM.

This includes physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, midwives, laboratory and medical technicians, and pharmacists employed in various healthcare establishments owned and operated by the government or its political subdivisions with original charters.

"This legislative bill aims to address the longstanding issue of inadequate compensation by enhancing the benefits and allowances of these professionals and providing forms of compensation to recognize the unique challenges they face," Mawallil said.

He added that once passed, the measure will provide a monthly honorarium of P3,000 to all actively and regularly performing public health workers.

For his part, Loong — one of the co-authors of the bill — said that the giving of honoraria will be implemented through a phased salary enhancement program over three years.

The selection of recipients will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of existing salary scales, market standards, and regional economic factors to establish fair and competitive compensation for all public health workers.

Loong explained that it also includes various forms of compensation, including hazard, subsistence, and transportation allowances, as well as emergency assistance and death and burial benefits, which will be extended to eligible public health workers.