President of the Alliance of Health Workers and first nominee of Health Workers Partylist, Robert Mendoza, is pushing for free public healthcare and accessible medicines in the country.
“Kailangan magkaroon ng libreng serbisyong pangkalusugan. Libreng gamot at pagpapagamot sa ating mga mamamayan,” Mendoza emphasized during the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Thursday.
“Napakahirap sa kasalukuyan, sabi nga ng DOH 5 out of 10 Pilipino ay namamatay na lang na hindi nakakakita ng doctor o health facilities,” he added.
He pointed out that out of 42,000 barangays in the country, only 23,000 have health stations, leaving many communities, especially in remote areas, without basic healthcare access.
Long-standing labor issues in the health sector
According to Mendoza, problems such as chronic understaffing, contractualization, and harassment of health workers existed even before the pandemic.
He emphasized the need to open permanent plantilla positions to ensure job security and adequate staffing.
“Overworked, underpaid ang ating mga health workers. Minsan 24 hours pa ang shift,” Mendoza expressed dismay.
Mendoza said the Department of Health (DOH) standard is a 1 nurse per 12 patients ratio, but he claimed this is far from being implemented nationwide, and many healthcare workers endure 24-hour shifts without overtime pay.
In line with this, he advocated for the creation of permanent plantilla positions, especially for those who have been serving under contracts for more than a decade without benefits or job security.
The health advocate further discussed that a lot of health professionals are leaving the country in search of better pay.
“Isinusulong din natin ang panawagan for P33,000 for the entry salary grade na nasa gobyerno at 1,200 para sa mga pribado yung daily wage niya,” he proposed to help Filipino health workers stay and work in the country.
“And then yung panawagan pa rin natin marami paring exodus ang ating mga nurses, P50,000 salary para sa mga nurses; and allied health professional mga medtech, radtech, pharmacies,” Mendoza added.
Currently, some health workers earn as low as ₱5,000–₱10,000, especially in LGUs where they remain under job order contracts despite years of service.
Addressing PhilHealth issue and Universal Health Care Law
Mendoza questioned the effectiveness of PhilHealth, highlighting its limited benefits and high out-of-pocket expenses for patients, despite consistent contributions from members.
“Hindi sapat ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth. Malaki ang out-of-pocket expenses ng pasyente.”
He also argued that the Universal Health Care Law (UHC) has become more of a “Universal Health Coverage”, citing the shortage of supplies, medicines, and medical staff in hospitals.
“Mas lalong nagmahal ang serbisyong pangkalusugan hindi siya nakakatulong,” he lamented.
Mendoza criticized the law's efficacy and said that it should be reviewed further because many patients cannot afford to purchase medications, and hospital supplies are still in short supply.
“Pagdating sa hospitals nag out of pocket ka para makabili ng gamot o supplies mas hindi siya makatotohanan para magkaroon ng libreng serbisyong pangkalusugan,” the health advocate believed.
Calling for increased health budget
Mendoza also endorsed the World Health Organization's recommendation that at least 5% of the country’s GDP should be allocated to health, emphasizing support for health services and work conditions.
“Wala sanang budget cut sa health. Alam natin kung gaano kalaki ang pangangailangan ng ating mamamayan,” he said.
He further emphasized that all hospital workers, including those involved in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), should be included in the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).
Moreover, Mendoza criticized the DOH for prematurely cutting off beneficiaries and highlighted the government’s outstanding P68.8 billion debt to health workers in private and local government unit (LGU) institutions.
#BakitIkaw: Health Workers Partylist?
When asked the question why their partylist should have a seat in Congress, Mendoza responded that it is time to have a real voice, representation for health workers, and for the people.
“Ngayon pa lang tayo nagkaroon ng totoong boses para sa Kongreso ng health workers at sa mamamayan. Iboto para magkaroon ng libreng serbisyong pangkalusugan at mailaban ang karapatan sa kalusugan,” he concluded.
Through legislation and their advocacies, Mendoza, together with Health Workers Partylist, seeks to build a healthcare system that is not only accessible but also just, humane, and empowering for Filipino people.
