Health workers from Metro Manila public hospitals held a picket protest on June 13 to reiterate the call for the release of their allowances, benefits compensation, and salary increases. Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) unions organized the action.

The unions held brief programs at the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center. The unions specifically demanded the cash medical allowance, immediate payment of the performance-based bonus for 2021-2023, and health emergency allowance for private and LGU-run hospitals.

In addition, the AHW condemned the Marcos regime for its failure to pass the proposed law that would increase wages nationwide for all workers. Last week, the Senate and House of Representatives killed the proposed ₱100-₱200 wage increase in the bicameral conference.

According to the group, this is a grave betrayal of millions of low-wage workers, especially health workers who endure hardship and inhumane working conditions. They emphasized that this is a blatant abandonment of the Filipino workers’ interests and welfare.

The AHW called on the government to increase wages based on the actual needs and conditions of government employees. They are pushing for a ₱33,000 entry salary for health workers and a ₱50,000 entry salary for nurses and allied health professionals.

“As the country grapples with deepening political crisis and government officials waste public funds and those in power protect their allies instead of ensuring accountability, health workers are still on the streets fighting for their rights and welfare and majority of the Filipino people continue to be denied access to free and quality healthcare,” AHW national president Bonifacio Carmona Jr, stated.