Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has set aside a total of P2.5 million for the livelihood projects of barangay health workers (BHW) in the province.

The funds will be given to each of the 25 total BHW federations across Negros Oriental, with each federation to get P100,000 for the implementation of livelihood projects, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

Sedillo said the Governor allocated the funds in recognition of the BHW’s contribution to “bring the necessary health services in areas where they are needed most.”

Based on data from the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), there are 3,900 total BHWs in Negros Oriental.

Each worker is receiving from the provincial government an honorarium of P300 each month or P3,500 per year based on a P13-million annual budget.

“The provincial government cannot easily increase the honorarium of the BHWs. Instead, the governor thought of giving the money to the BHW federations for them to implement livelihood programs,” he added.  

Meanwhile, medical kits are now being distributed to each of the 557 barangays in the province.

Sedillo said each kit contains the basic health tools such as a sphygmomanometer.

The provincial government started distributing the kits in May this year under Gov. Degamo’s Health, Education and Livelihood Program (HELP). (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)