Vetoed Separation Benefits of BHWs and BNS of Tabuk City could get second chance

Tabuk City, Kalinga- Councilor Ivan Bagayao this Monday, December 14 has accepted the decision of Mayor Darwin Estraǹero vetoing Ordinance number 001, series of 2020 or “ the Tabuk City Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Assistance, Benefits and Incentive (ABI) Code of 2019” but said he shall refile amending the section under question.

“I accept the veto but I shall refile this. I-ammend lang diay section 7 being questioned. I don’t see nga saan maaprovan daytoy since Quezon City has similar ordinance. We all want this para kadagiti volunteer workers tayo ti barangay, saan kadi?,” said Bagayao.

Councilor Bagayao, the main proponent of the vetoed ordinance, stated the ordinance is important as it sets the systems for Barangay Health Workers to gain access to packages, resources and opportunities for improving their personal and professional development.

During the Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panglugsod, Bagayao said he shall refile the ordinance following amendments of the section questioned by the legal office, in which the possible action to be undertaken is changing the terms used likeinstead of “separation” or “retirement” benefit, the wording might be phrased to incentive or similar words.

This was also suggested by other members of the council.

According to Bagayao, there is a need to provide incentives to volunteer workers as they are the ones giving much of their time working for the community.

The veto of Mayor Estrañero

In a letter of Tabuk City Mayor Estraǹero addressed to the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, it said that the grant of retirement benefits to the BHWs and BNS provided in Article VI, section 7 of the ordinance has no legal basis since they are not considered as regular employees of the City Government. This, according to him is a comment from the City Legal Office.

Section 7 of the ordinance states that “all accredited BHW and BNS upon reaching the age of 65 years old are entitled to receive a separation benefit from the City LGU to recognize their voluntary health care and nutrition services to the City of Tabuk.”

Councilor Zorayda Wacnang’s proposed ordinance which aims to give hazard pays for CSWDs which was also vetoed by the mayor will also be refiled next year.

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