THE CONTROVERSY over Manila’s health permit ordinance has made its way to the Senate, with a UST labor leader voicing healthcare workers’ concerns about the mandate during a committee hearing.
On Aug. 20, the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, along with the Committee of Finance, conducted a hearing to discuss various healthcare issues, such as the delayed disbursement of health emergency allowances to frontliners.
During his turn to speak, Ronald Ignacio, representing the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP), seized the opportunity to highlight concerns regarding the Manila Ordinance 8793.
“Sasamantalahin ko na rin po itong pagkakataon na ito, senator, para ma-raise din po ‘yong ibang mga concern po ng healthcare workers lalong lalo na po dito sa Manila,” he told Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who chairs the Senate’s health and demography committee.
“Medyo redundant na po sa aming palagay ‘yong ordinansang ‘yon (Manila Ordinance 8793),” he added. “Kasi meron na kaming mga annual physical examination na pwede na po sanang ipasa or gawing [valid] na po sana ‘yon.”
Ignacio, also the chair of the Ugnayan ng mga Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng University of Santo Tomas Hospital (UNM-USTH), pointed out how cities like Makati and Quezon City were more lenient in issuing health certificates.
Manila requires that tests, such as a urinalysis, drug test, and stool exam, be conducted at its temporary public health laboratory, which has drawn criticism for its “filthy” and “substandard facilities.”
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Ignacio also emphasized that the problem was not exclusive to workers of UST.
“Dito sa Manila City ordinance, kailangan pa po pumila ng mga manggagawa doon sa Manila (City Health Depatment) kung saan ‘di po kaaya-aya yung pasilidad nila doon. Katunayan po pang-apat na taon na po ito ng Chinese General Hospital employees na kumukuha ng health permit po doon.”
In addition to these concerns, Ignacio mentioned the long overdue disbursement of emergency health allowances to healthcare workers, particularly those in private hospitals. He also called for the institutionalization of hazard pay in these hospitals.
UNM-USTH had issued a call for the repeal of Manila Ordinance 8793, or the Sanitation and Disinfection Code of the City of Manila, which mandates all businesses in the city to secure health and sanitation permits.
The union had deemed the mandate as an “unnecessary financial burden” that is “exploitative of workers.” The controversial ordinance even prompted UST Hospital employees to protest on Aug. 9, the opening of classes at UST, to call for its review.
The Varsitarian has reached out several times to Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and District 4 Councilor Louisito Chua, principal author of the ordinance, but has yet to receive a response as of press time.
UST labor unions have yet to engage in dialogue with Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. regarding the implementation of the health permit requirement at the University. Amanda Luella A. Rivera and Sydney Venice V. Berba
