By Mae Singuay

A total of 234 barangay health workers (BHWs) in Bacolod City sought the help of the local government unit (LGU) due to delayed payment of their One COVID-19 Allowance.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez held a meeting with the BHWs last week to address some of their concerns pertaining to their work.

They discussed the delay in payment of the BHWs’ monthly COVID allowance.

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, these BHWs served as first responders.

The Department of Health (DOH) provided them with a monthly allowance of P9,000 each.

However, the BHWs appealed to the government to pay them six months of allowance amounting to P54,000 each.

The city council confirmed that their pertinent papers were also a factor that caused the delay of the payments.

The city government will coordinate with the DOH in Western Visayas for the allowance.

Also discussed during the meeting were the salary increase and the need for basic training for health workers./MS, WDJ