BONG GO FILES BILL PROVIDING COMPETITIVE REMUNERATION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES TO SOCIAL WORKERS; RECOGNIZES THEIR SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PROTECTING WELFARE OF FILIPINOS

“Bong” Go

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, August 24, filed Senate Bill No. 2359 which provides competitive remuneration and compensation to social workers as recognition for their work to help the poor and needy in securing basic services especially amid the ongoing pandemic.

Citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Go said that the attainability of the country’s legal obligations rests primarily on the dedicated efforts of the workers rendering biopsychosocial services and interventions to the public.

“In the Philippine setting, registered social workers are one of the unacknowledged groups of workers despite the great weight of their contribution to and responsibility for the wellbeing of all Filipinos,” Go pointed out. “The social workers play vital roles in the case management of individuals and in the rehabilitation and reintegration of families and communities who have been vulnerable after being victims of crimes, disasters, calamities, armed conflicts or similar incidents,” he added.

Due to the increasing number of Filipinos needing assistance and a more holistic biopsychosocial intervention in the wake of COVID-19, Go said that social workers have been extending their helping hands, providing

necessary interventions round the clock.

However, he lamented that they are only receiving contemptible treatment, with remuneration incommensurate with their workload and absence of benefits appropriate to their profession.

“It is now an opportune time to fully recognize the champions of social change---those who significantly provide aid and healing within the communities,” he urged.

Under the proposed measure, the minimum salary grade for social workers will be increased from Salary Grade 11 to 13. The Department of Budget and Management will be mandated to adjust their salaries accordingly.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with other concerned government agencies, association of social workers, and the accredited professional organization will also establish an incentive and benefit system for Emphasizing the important role of social workers, Go stressed the need to recognize their contributions to society.

“Our social workers serve as bridges of the people and the government agencies. Their importance is highlighted even more in times of crisis, such as the current pandemic,” he said.

“It is high time that we recognize their invaluable contributions to society by giving them proper and sufficient compensation,” he added.

Promoting the welfare of social workers, according to Go, will go a long way toward ensuring that the government continues to attract and retain social workers.

“This is also a welcome relief on the part of the social workers’ families. Alalahanin natin na bukod sa pag-alaga nila sa taumbayan na mga nangangailangan, may mga sariling pamilya rin silang binubuhay at inaalagaan,” he ended. Previously, Go also supported the grant of hazard pay to government personnel, including social workers, who physically report for work during the period of community quarantine relative to the COVID-I9 situation.

“Sa mga panahong ito kung saan andyan ang banta sa kalusugan at buhay ng ating mga mamamayan, pinili ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan na magsilbi sa bayan,” said Go.

“Imbes na uunahin nila ang kapakanan ng kanilang pamilya, ninais nilang patuloy na magtrabaho sa kanikanilang mga opisina upang hindi maputol ang mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan para sa lahat. Nararapat lamang na kilalanin at bigyan ng pagpapahalaga ang mga sakripisyong ito,” the Senator added.

On the same day, Go also filed SB 2358 which seeks to establish a national framework for the mandatory environmental insurance coverage of environmentally critical projects.