Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No_4271

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution secures the right to health through Section 11. Under this
provision, the State is mandated to make essential goods, health, and other social
services available to all the people at an affordable cost. Under the Local Government
Code, the implementation of national health care programs and delivery of public
health services have been devolved to the local government units. Since then, the
barangays have been in the frontline, ensuring that these public services in relation to
health care, are readily available and easily accessible to the people at all times.

The Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) serve as the front-liners of primary health
care in the community. In the absence of adequate health care professionals in
communities, especially in the far-flung areas and provinces, the barangay health
workers fill the gap by providing support in the delivery of essential health care
services in barangay health stations. BHWs also report to the rural health units to assist
in the implementation of local and national health care programs. Clearly, the BHWs
play an important role in implementing national health policies and achieving national
health care goals.

At present, the BHWs serve on a voluntary basis and receive only an honoraria
from the local government units. Given the significant role of the BHWs in delivering
health services to the community, this bill seeks to grant BHWs standardized
compensation that is equitable and reasonable, and recognizes their contribution to the
welfare of those in their community.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


2

HOW. ALETA @ SUAREZ
tative
District, Quezon Province


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No_ 4271

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

AN ACT GRANTING STANDARDIZED SALARY AND OTHER BENEFITS TO.
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS’ BENEFITS AND
INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 6 (b) of Republic Act No. 7883 is hereby amended to read
as follows:
Section 6. Incentives and Benefits. - In recognition of their services, all accredited
barangay health workers who are actively and regularly performing their duties shall
be entitled to the following incentives and benefits:
Xxx
(b) Standardized honoraria - Barangay health workers who render services within
the premises of isolated barangay health stations in order to make their services
available at any and all times, shall be entitled to a monthly standard honoraria
equivalent to Salary Grade 1: Provided, That barangay health workers shall
complete eighty (80) working hours in a month: Provided, further, That the
amount shall be computed based on the number of hours rendered in service.


SEC. 2. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
derived from the revenues collected by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) three
months preceding the current pay-out month. The amount shall be divided
proportionally between the two government-owned and controlled corporations in
accordance with their respective revenue collection.

SEC. 3. The PAGCOR and PCSO shall jointly coordinate with the local
government units, particularly the barangays, in the distribution of the monthly
honoraria of the BHWs. The honoraria shall be released in two pay-out periods, every
15th and 30th day of the month.

SEC. 4. The apportioning and distribution of honoraria shall be subject to
monitoring and audit by the Commission on Audit.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Budget and
Management in coordination with the Department of Health, Department of Interior
and Local Government, and other concerned government agencies shall formulate
within one hundred eighty (180) days from its effectivity, the rules and regulations
necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation
in the Philippines, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.