Isagani B. Dulfo Jr.

MSPH 1

Magna Carta of Public Health Workers

Section 21: Hazars Allowance

The provision of Sec. 21 of the Magna Carta of Public Health workers in the Philippines
explicitly states that the"public health workers in hospitals, sanitaria, rural healh units,
main centers, health infirmaries, barangay health stations, clinics, and other health
related establishments" be "compensated hazard allowance equivalent to atleast 25%
of the monthly basic salary of health workers receiving salary grade 19 and below, and
5% for health workers with salargy grade 20 and above .

This section in summary requires that public health workers should receive hazard
allowance as part of their service. This is a very good benifit for the health wokers given
that the nature of their works requires the exposure and management of health
diseases and other related matters. As a health worker, this is a basic compensation for
our service because it is the very fact that we are engaging with the threats that could
also endanger our health. Although the magna carta is a law in effect, still I can testify
that at some other place and health institution is not manifested. As a contractual type
of employee, my employment status prohibits me from receiving this hazard allowance
as compensation. This very fact that I'm not enjoying this benefit means that other
employees with the same employment status as mine do not also receive the hazard
allowance. This is a violation of the magna carta provision as it covers that the benifit
should be received by "public health workers" regardless of their employment status.
The saddest part is that I am working under the government.

I therefore conclude that the legislative body of the government and the implementers of
the law should exert more efforts in safe gurading that this law is well implemented in
health institution. Itnis not a good notion that the law makers are the first ones who
breaks the law. Itnis without a doubt that health workers can be considered as the
unsung heroes in the society. Our work is not a simple and over night duty rather, it
makes our health security in compromise. Therefore it is only rightful that we, public
health workers, receive the benefits thatnis due for us wirpth no compromise.