Several health workers, professionals, advocates, and community members gathered at the Senate gates on Wednesday morning, October 1, to condemn the systemic corruption in the government.
Protesters carried white umbrellas with various statements printed on them, calling on the government to approve a ₱50,000 entry salary for nurses and other allied health professionals, along with their performance bonus.
During the protests, health workers reasoned that billions of pesos are stolen from the Filipinos because of corruption and pork barrel. “Chronic underfunding” and the government’s failure to prioritize public health were also among the reasons that the group of protesters claimed were hindering their call for better health services.
As a result, they said that health workers also suffer the consequences through low salary grades, lack of job security, and understaffing in hospitals. In addition, they also said that the Filipino community bears the weight, pointing out the limited access to free and quality medical services.
Philippine Heart Center Employees Association - Alliance Health Workers President Sally Ejes stated that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget is higher compared to the health sector’s funds.
This contrasts with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s statement on prioritizing the health sector and, more importantly, the health of Filipinos.
If senators have time for insertions and kickbacks, Ejes said that maybe they can also give the health sector sufficient funding during the budget deliberations for the said department.
“Kung kaya nilang ibigay ng trilyon at lustayin na lamang ng DPWH ang ganon kalaking pondo. Sana i-allot naman sa health, na kaming mga manggagawang pangkalusugan na matagal na kaming sumisigaw sa napakahirap na sitwasyon namin sa pagta-trabaho sa loob ng ospital,” Ejes said.
“Kulang na kulang sa badyet. Ito po ay patungkol sa sahod ng health workers, mga gamit na kailangan, mga gamot na kailangan ng mamamayang Pilipino,” she added.
The health workers’ call for better pay and services comes as more employees work over 36 hours, with little support from the government.
Among the groups present were the Philippine Heart Center Employees Association - Alliance Health Workers, Coalition for People’s Right to Health, Council for Health and Development (CHD), the Health Workers Partylist, and the Filipino Nurses United.
