Health advocate and representative of Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Partylist, Dra. Minguita Padilla is pushing to champion health workers’ rights in the barangay to Congress.
“Nakita ko ang hirap at sakripisyo nila—at ang kahalagahan nila sa barangay sa serbisyong pangkalusugan,” Padilla said in the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Wednesday.
Beyond structural reforms, Dra. Padilla is pushing for the professionalization and protection of BHWs.
She explained that currently, many health workers who volunteer receive as little as ₱300–₱500 monthly allowance and risk being removed from the field with every change in barangay leadership.
“Kailangan natin silang i-professionalize, capacitate, at bigyan ng security of tenure. Hindi puwedeng basta-basta na lang tanggalin. Dapat may hazard pay, subsidy, health emergency allowance, at bonus,” Padilla stressed.
With the passage of the Magna Carta for BHWs in both houses of Congress, Padilla is hopeful it will soon be signed into law. Under this measure, registered BHWs who undergo training and certification can receive ₱3,000–₱5,000 in monthly allowances, plus other benefits like GSIS coverage and year-end bonuses.
From pushing the Magna Carta for BHWs to calling for reforms in PhilHealth, Dra. Padilla’s advocacy is rooted in empowering the frontliners and strengthening the health system from the ground up.
Barangay health workers ‘frontliners for all seasons”
Moreover, Dra. Padilla stated the COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted just how neglected BHWs are despite being essential.
“Sila ang na-eexpose, sila ang nagko-contact tracing, pero walang benepisyo.” She emphasized the urgent need for reform, especially in implementing the long-delayed Magna Carta for BHWs, and in overhauling the PhilHealth system.
“‘Yung PhilHealth ang gasolina natin para makamit ang Universal Health Care. Diyan manggagaling ang pera para sa gamot, ospital, at check-up,” she said, stressing that health access must begin in the communities.
Digitalization: Her actions to a more accountable and transparent government
If elected, Dra. Padilla aims to prioritize the digitalization of health systems, citing mismatches between hospital and PhilHealth data that often delay patient benefits.
“Kailangan natin ng transparency. Hindi natin alam kung may pera ba talaga. Isang justice ng Korte Suprema nga, sinabi mukhang bangkarote—pero sabi ng PhilHealth, hindi. So ano ba talaga?,” criticizing the lack of transparency in the agency’s financial reports.
“Accountability is crucial. Marami sa PhilHealth ang mahusay at tapat, pero may ilan na dapat managot,” she added.
Championing eye health for the marginalized sector
Known for her work in ophthalmology and as the head of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, Dra. Padilla is also committed to helping poor Filipinos access free eye check-ups and eyeglasses through PhilHealth packages.
“May PhilHealth package ngayon para sa libreng salamin up to 15 years old. Marami lang hindi nakakaalam,” she said.
Furthermore, for cataract surgeries, she added that PhilHealth can now cover much larger expenses in both public and some private hospitals.
For those in extreme poverty, she advocates for socialized pricing for corneal tissue and urges people to visit government hospitals and accredited facilities.
“Kung wala kayong maibabayad sa mga hospital pumunta kayo sa government hospital like PGH, East Avenue Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center maraming hospital sa Visayas may mga regional hospital kumpleto ang gamit,” Padilla affirmed.
Her stand on abortion and euthanasia
A devout Christian, Dra. Padilla maintains a firm moral stance on sensitive issues such as euthanasia and abortion. While she believes in providing comfort and dignity to those nearing the end of life, she draws a clear line when it comes to ending it deliberately.
“Definitely, I am not in favor of mercy killing or abortion. Lahat ng paghihirap natin may dahilan. We should make death more comfortable, but we don’t have the right to end life,” she said.
Meanwhile, she expressed compassion for women who undergo abortion due to trauma or poverty. “I don’t believe it’s right, but I won’t condemn them. They need love and support,” she added as she emphasized the need to make family planning more accessible.
#BakitIkaw: Barangay Health Workers Partylist?
Dra. Padilla firmly believed that the BHW Partylist is not just another political group that makes promises to the public for them to win the election.
“Hindi ako nangangako lang. May nagawa na kami,” she said. “Hindi ako bolero. Ang sasabihin ko, gagawin ko. Ang kalusugan po natin ang daming problema—kaya kailangan ang maupo ay may alam, puso, at karanasan,” Padilla concluded.
Alongside the BHW Partylist, Dra. Padilla remained committed to advancing health equity from the barangay level up, which was to empower the often-overlooked frontliners, and reform a health system that has long neglected their vital impact and role.
