Badrina, K. J. P. (2017). Formulating a strategic policy to address barangay health workers retention in the municipality of Javier, Leyte (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management. Health Systems and Development. Batch 7 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Barangay Health Workers (BHW) was considered the front liners in health service delivery because they know and live among the community people. In the municipality of Javier, the LGU scorecard shows that almost all indicators are green and yellow which indicates good and moderate health system performance. However, during one of the meetings with the BHWs, problems were raised concerning the non retention of the BHWs, which is at 30.6%. With this non retention, the continuity of the delivery health services is disrupted. Because of this, the Rural Health Unit is compelled to provide an assurance on the longevity or retention in their position. The researcher thought of a way of addressing this issue hence, this study of formulating a strategic policy which will answer the determinant factors affecting the decisions of Barangay Captains on retention the current status if the policies and guidelines referenced to other identified determinants and the strategic steps that will form as well defined policy to address the gaps including the issue on retention of the BHW. Focus group discussion was done with the barangay captains in order to explore their perspectives. An analytical matrix of the most common responses was created. A consensus of the FGD responses revealed that while it is important that a BHW should have the basic skills and knowledge in the health services, responses emphasized that attitude have greater bearing on selection and retention. Literature review was done to examine existing policies related to BHWs. Through this, a policy gap analysis matrix was created to compare and contrast the data from the FGD, the existing policies and the current policies that are adapted by the municipality. The gaps revealed the absence of policies on BHWs termination, inadequate honorarium and lack of training. The policy gap analysis facilitated policy discussion and policy writing among the major stakeholders. The formulation of the policy followed strategic steps in policy making such as identifying the problem, establishing goals and criteria, selecting and implementing a policy, and evaluating the policy. After much deliberation, this policy was developed into a law in the form of an ordinance. An Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was also created to further specify the contents of the ordinance. This included the termination of the BHW that will only occur after due notice and hearing and the conduction of capacity building to enhance personality development. The formulated ordinance was then presented to the experts, BHW Regional Coordinator and DOH Representative, and a key informants interview was done. The key points recommended were the addition of allowances such hazard, subsistence and retirement. The ordinance was also presented to the BHWs who are the beneficiaries, they were all amenable to all guidelines and details because the problems that they had for a long time, which has their non retention and honorarium were finally addressed.