Members of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) from Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Tondo Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital and National Children’s Hospital convened together during their lunch break in front of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center gate, ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The protest highlights the worsening economic conditions faced by health workers amid the rising cost of living, which has been further aggravated by the recent increase in fuel prices linked to tensions and conflict in the Middle East. The continuous rise in the prices of basic commodities, utilities, and transportation has further eroded the already inadequate salaries and benefits of health workers, making it increasingly difficult for them to meet their daily needs.
Health workers press for a living wage amounting to P36,000 entry salary for both public and private health workers and P50,000 entry salary for nurses and other allied health professionals, stressing that years of delayed benefits, inadequate allowances, and persistently low wages have further worsened their economic conditions amid the continuing rise in the cost of living.
“Four years into the Marcos administration, the economic conditions of health workers have worsened. Like the previous administration, the current government has remained deaf to our long-standing demands. Instead of addressing our concerns, the situation has only deteriorated. It continues to disregard our calls for a living wage, the timely release of our benefits, and humane working conditions,” said Myleen Tiangco, a nurse, midwife, and National Treasurer of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW).
“It has been nearly a year since the President himself raised the alleged irregularities in flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), yet to this day, no high-ranking officials have been held accountable. This only reflects the administration’s failure to address issues that demand urgent action and genuine accountability,” Tiangco added.
Recent reports stated that the Marcos administration has approved the release of the Fiscal Year 2024 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB). The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), however, views the issuance of Resolution No. 2026-1, approved on July 2, 2026, as a belated move by the administration to project concern for government employees after delaying the release of the incentive for nearly two years.
“If the government can finally release the FY 2024 Performance-Based Bonus, then it has no excuse for continuing to withhold the long-overdue FY 2021 and FY 2022 PBBs of health workers. We earned those incentives while risking our lives on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our fellow health workers have already passed away without ever receiving the bonuses they rightfully earned. The Marcos administration must stop delaying what is rightfully owed to health workers,” stated John Paul Gubaton, president, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center Employees Union-Alliance of Health Workers.
“Moreover, we are already halfway through the year, yet we have still not received our P7,000 medical allowance for 2026. What is the reason for this continued delay?” Gubaton said.
“Along with other government employees, we continue to call for the immediate increase of the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) from P2,000 to P5,000. It is already 2026, yet the Marcos Jr. administration has failed to provide any meaningful economic relief to its own employees despite the country’s worsening economic crisis. This adjustment is long overdue. The government must recognize the sacrifices of public workers, especially healthcare workers who remain at the forefront of delivering essential services,” Gubaton expressed.
“Health workers will not stop until the government listens to and acts on our legitimate demands. We will continue to unite and fight for the rights and welfare of health workers and the Filipino people. On the President’s upcoming 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), health workers will stand alongside the Filipino people to make our voices heard and demand accountability for the urgent issues facing our country.” ended Myleen Tiangco.#
