Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally attended the UNI Global Union–Philippines Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Island Cluster Training and Planning Session held on Thursday, January 29, at the B Hotel in Quezon City, reaffirming his strong support for frontline health workers and grassroots health governance.
The activity gathered around 30 regional, city, and municipal Barangay Health Workers (BHW) presidents from Luzon and Visayas for a full day of leadership training, policy discussions, and collective planning aimed at strengthening community-based healthcare delivery.
In his message, Senator Go thanked the organizers and participants, expressing his continued solidarity with barangay health workers. “Unang-una, maraming salamat po sa pag-imbita sa akin. Congratulations po sa inyong UNI Global Union–Philippines Liaison Council BHW Island Cluster Training and Planning Session. Alam niyo naman po, mahal ko ang ating mga BHWs. Narinig ko ang sigaw ninyo kanina, ‘HEA, HEA, HEA!,’ at alam niyo, karapatan niyo po iyan,” Go said.
He stressed that the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) was a hard-earned benefit for health workers who sacrificed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Pinaghirapan niyo po iyan at ipinaglaban natin iyan noon. Sa ating pangungulit at pagpupursigi, nabayaran na po ang mahigit PhP 27 billion noong 2024 at PhP 6.7 billion noong 2025. Kaunti na lang po ang natitira para ma-reconcile ang claims. Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo, kung hindi dahil sa inyong sakripisyo noong pandemya, hindi po natin mararating ang kinaroroonan natin ngayon,” he added.
Senator Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act, which institutionalized benefits such as the HEA for health workers during public health emergencies.
The session focused on enhancing organizational capacity, strengthening coordination among BHW leaders, and aligning advocacy priorities to advance policies that support barangay health workers and the primary healthcare system.
During the event, Senator Go acknowledged the key officials, including Bro. Roland Dela Cruz, President of UNI-PLC; Bro. Khonan Cerial, President of the National BHW Confederation; Sis. Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union; Bro. Rajendra Kumar Acharya, Regional Secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific; Bro. Hovig Melkonian, Organizing Director of UNI Asia & Pacific; Sis. Myrna Gaite, President of the BHW Federation–National Capital Region; Bro. Rey Jose “Bong” Soriano, OIC of the Training and Public Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Center; Sis. Catherine Gayo-Villon, Education and Information Officer of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU), and Ms. Ma. Theresa Santiago, National BHW Coordinator of the Department of Health–Central Office.
As a gesture of support, the senator also distributed tokens to the participants, including pens, jackets, fruits, and balls.
Reiterating his commitment to the welfare of barangay health workers, Senator Go shared that he has filed measures in the 20th Congress to strengthen their rights and benefits further.
“Patuloy ko pong susuportahan at ipaglalaban ang mga panukalang batas para sa ating mga BHW. Bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyo,” he said.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go vowed to continue pushing for Senate Bill No. 412, or the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, which seeks to provide just compensation, including a monthly honorarium, among others. He also filed SBN 1352, which aims to ensure just and humane working conditions for private healthcare workers.
In closing, Senator Go underscored the role of BHWs as the backbone of the country’s primary healthcare system, particularly in far-flung and underserved communities.
“Kayo po ang babad sa init at nagbabahay-bahay noong panahon ng pandemya para makapagbigay ng bakuna. Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo,” he recalled.
“Hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang sa opisina habang ang ating mga kababayan ay nangangailangan ng tulong. Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo, at naniniwala po ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded.
