THE PROVINCE of Iloilo takes pride in its 13 government-run hospitals, serving communities from coastal towns to upland barangays. But behind the doors of these institutions is an uncomfortable truth: nearly half of their workforce remain on contractual or job order status, some for over 20 years, without the security, benefits, or recognition that regular employees enjoy.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias’ revelation during the recent 2025 National Hospital Week launch should trouble anyone who values public health. “There are employees who have dedicated 25 years of service to the hospital, yet many remain on a contractual basis,” he said. These are not casual, seasonal, or peripheral workers — they are the backbone of Iloilo’s healthcare system, the very people who keep the wards running, attend to emergencies, and provide care in the most critical of moments.
Contractualization in the healthcare sector goes beyond being an employment concern; it is a service quality issue. A workforce uncertain about its future is less likely to be fully invested in long-term institutional goals. Frequent turnover caused by job insecurity disrupts patient care continuity, burdens regular staff with constant retraining, and erodes the collective expertise that comes from years of steady service in one place. In healthcare, where familiarity with patients, institutional processes, and local health conditions matters, stability is a critical ingredient in delivering high-quality outcomes.
Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has expressed support for expanding plantilla positions; this commitment must be backed by action. But this will require not only local budget adjustments but also stronger national support — particularly through a larger share of the National Tax Allocation dedicated to staffing and operational costs. Facility upgrades and modern equipment are important, but without a stable, fairly compensated workforce to operate them, these investments will not reach their full potential.
Job security is also a matter of fairness. For decades, these men and women have shouldered the same risks and responsibilities as their regular counterparts — often working nights, weekends, and holidays — yet they remain excluded from the benefits and protections that come with permanent status. Public health challenges are increasingly complex, and treating these workers as disposable is not just unjust; it is self-defeating and makes the situation worse.
If Iloilo is to raise the standard of care across its provincial hospitals, it must start by securing the welfare of those who deliver that care. Stable jobs lead to stable services, and stable services save lives. The long-serving contractual workers of Iloilo’s hospitals have more than proven their worth. It is time the system proved its worth to them in return.
