Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian (upper row, 10 from left) leads the Conferment of Certificate of Completion among the barangay health workers last January 29. (Photo Courtesy: Valenzuela PIO) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Some 150 barangay health workers (BHWs) in Valenzuela City received an upskilling training on effective delivery of local health services from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

The BHWs were able to gain essential skills such as applying basic first aid procedures, implementing community health interventions, responding efficiently to emergency situations, and working within a targeted community development framework that is guided by the specific needs of the community, among others. 

Heidie Yongco, a BHW for 10 years from Barangay Coloong, highlighted the importance of the training in the improvement of their services. 

“Ang training po ay nakatulong po sa amin upang maboost po ang aming confidence, lalo na po ‘pag nag-e-area kami… Kaya nagpapasalamat po kami kay Mayor Wes dahil binigyan po kami ng ganitong magandang programa,” said Yongco. 

(Translation: This training has helped us boost our confidence, especially when it comes to area… that is why we thank Mayor Wes for this program) 

The said training was conducted from October to December 2023. After completing the short course, the trainees received Barangay Health Services NC (National Certificate) II Certification following the skills assessment of TESDA. 

NC serves as a competency certificate used to validate the eligibility of the holder to fulfill a skilled job. It also increases the employability and productivity of individuals passing the certification. 

Meanwhile, to further provide support to BHWs, Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian shared the plans of the local government to build a permanent school for BHWs. 

This initiative forms part of the city government’s goal to uphold the best quality of the local health system for the residents it serves. 

It can be recalled that in 2023, the first 31 BHWs to undergo the training also received their NC II Certification through the partnership between the Valenzuela City Health Office and Synergia Foundation alongside Johnson and Johnson. 

The local government is primarily targeting to facilitate the training to all 328 BHWs in the city. (JMP/PIA-NCR)