City to mark day for health workers

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government has adopted Republic Act 10069 or an Act Declaring May 7 of each year as Health Workers' Day.

To better celebrate the occasion, the city council approved a resolution asking the Cebu provincial government for financial assistance in the amount of P225,000.

City Councilor Francis Richard Aznar, chairman of the committee on health, said the community health workers are dedicated individuals "who function along a continuum ranging from individual and communal development to service delivery promoting community improvement and social justice."

"They link people to health care information and services," Aznar said.

"In upholding the legacy of service, community health workers as basic health service providers to the grassroots level will be recognized for their immense accomplishments," read the resolution approved recently by the council.

Aznar said the one-day celebration is the city government's initiative to give recognition to health workers' "utmost care and dedication" to Talisaynons in providing basic health services.

Specifically, the city government is asking for financial assistance from Governor Hilario Davide III in the amount of P75,000 and P50,000 each from Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Provincial District Board Members Raul Alcoseba and Julian "Teban" Daan for the celebration.

Last 2010, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed R.A. 100691 that declares May 7 of each year as Health Workers' Day.

The act enjoins all the heads of government health facilities, offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled hospitals and local government health units, and employers in the private sector to give employees sufficient time to celebrate Health Workers' Day.

The law refers to health workers as persons engaged in health and health-related work regardless of their employment status, including medical, allied health professional, administrative and support services personnel, and those employed in hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations and clinics and such other health-related establishments owned and operated by the government or its political subdivisions with original charters or by the private sector. — (FREEMAN)