Manila, Aug. 3 -- The Senate on Monday unanimously approved a bill granting stronger protection, standardized benefits and professional development opportunities to barangay health workers (BHWs) nationwide.

Senate Bill No. 1905 under Committee Report No. 35, or the proposed "Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers," received 20 affirmative votes, with no negative vote or abstention.

The measure formally recognizes BHWs as vital primary healthcare frontliners and establishes uniform standards for their registration, certification, training, benefits and protection.

"Today, we take another important step toward giving our barangay health workers the recognition, protection and support they have long deserved," Senator JV Ejercito, an au...