๐ทAlliance of Health Workers -AHW National
Health workers from Tondo Medical Center staged a “Snake Rally Protest” to demand prompt release of their long-overdue performance-based bonuses for the years 2021 to 2023. In addition, they are calling for a substantial salary increase, amounting to P33,000 entry salary for both public and private health workers.ย ย They are also pushing for the mass hiring of health workers with regular plantilla positions to address staffing shortages and ensure better healthcare services for their patients.
The PBB (Performance-Based Bonus) is a benefit given to government personnel based on their contributions or performance in meeting the agency and institution’s set targets and commitments. This is mandated by Administrative Order 25 (2011), Executive Order No. 80 (2012), and Executive Order No. 201 (2016). Every year, the Department of Budget and Management issues guidelines for the distribution of the PBB.
According to Ernesto Bulanadi, president of the Tondo Medical Center Employees Association-Alliance of Health Workers (TMCEA-AHW), “Our much-deserved compensation is at stake because, until now, the performance-based bonuses (PBB) for 2021 to 2023 have not been released. We are forced to struggle for it just to receive what is rightfully ours. Where is the heart of this government for neglecting us, especially when we continue to serve our patients even during calamities and pandemic.โ
The meager wages of health workers have become insufficient, as they are quickly eroded by the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities and the high inflation rate. This has further diminished the real value of their salaries, pushing workers into deeper debt, hunger, and poverty.
They criticize the Marcos Jr. administration for neglecting the rights and welfare of health workers, while billions of the budget are allocated to intelligence and confidential funds.
Health workers are set to stage a picket at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on November 25. #
