Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6643

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF AT LEAST ONE (1)
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER IN EVERY BARANGAY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OR THE “LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE OF 1991” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: "The
State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available
to all the people at affordable cost.”

By virtue of Section 17 of Title I of the 1991 Local Government Code, the delivery of
basic services and facilities such as health and social welfare services were devolved to
the local government units down to the barangay level. Thus, the barangay health
centers and daycare centers are maintained with the help of barangay health workers
who voluntarily render primary health care services to the community.

It is, however, ironic that while barangay health workers are the front-liners in
providing health care services to the community, there is no existing mechanism to
secure that all barangays are equipped with the services of their own barangay health
worker.

Hence, this bill mandates the appointment of barangay health workers in every
barangay throughout the country. The barangay health workers shall be appointed by
the municipal or city mayor, after proper accreditation with the local health board.
Further, the barangay health worker shall be entitled to allowances and such other
benefits accorded to other appointed barangay officials.

More importantly, this measure seeks to provide barangay health workers security
of tenure in order to strengthen the capacity of barangays to deliver basic health services
to the community and afford the barangay health workers their well-deserved
entitlements and benefits.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6643

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF AT LEAST ONE (1)
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER IN EVERY BARANGAY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OR THE “LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE OF 1991” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Health
Workers Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987
Philippine Constitution, the State hereby declares the policy of according utmost
importance to the health needs of the nation and shall henceforth endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable
cost. Toward this end, the State shall ensure that accessible and quality health services
are extended to each individual through the barangay health workers as the primary
channel for implementing the State's health policies down to the barangay level. Thus,
to secure the availability and delivery of barangay health needs, the State shall
guarantee the appointment of barangay health workers in every barangay as frontline
health workers.

SEC. 3. Section 387 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 as amended, shall be further amended to read as follows:

“Section 387. Chief Officials and Officers. - (a) There shall be in each barangay a
punong barangay, seven (7) sangguniang barangay members, the sangguniang kabataan
chairman, a barangay secretary, [and] a barangay treasurer, AND AT LEAST ONE (1)
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER.”

XXX

SEC. 4. A new provision shall be inserted between Sections 395 and 396 of
Republic Act No. 7160 to be denominated as Section 395-A which shall read as follows:

“SECTION 395-A. APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS AND BENEFITS
OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS. - ANY PROVISIONS OF LAW TO THE
CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
MUNICIPAL OR CITY MAYOR AS BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER PURSUANT TO
THIS ACT UNLESS HE OR SHE HAS COMPLETED AT LEAST SECONDARY
EDUCATION. SUCH REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE
QUALIFICATIONS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883 OR
THE “BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS’ BENEFIT AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995”.
PROVIDED, THAT THOSE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS WHO HAVE
RENDERED MORE THAN TEN (10) YEARS OF SERVICE AND EXHIBITED
EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AS DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL HEALTH BOARD,


SHALL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE MINIMUM
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT.

A BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALLOWANCES
AND SUCH OTHER BENEFITS TO WHICH OTHER APPOINTED BARANGAY
OFFICIALS MAY BE ENTITLED TO. NO PERSON DULY APPOINTED AS A
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER SHALL BE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR VALID CAUSE
AS PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND
ONLY AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING.

SEC. 5. Section 393, paragraphs (a) and (b) of the Local Government Code of the
Philippines, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Section 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials. - (a) Barangay officials, including
barangay tanods and members of the lupong tagapamayapa, shall receive honoraria,
allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay,
municipal, or city ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this Code, but in no
case shall it be less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) per month for the punong
barangay and Six Hundred Pesos (P600.00) per month for the sangguniang barangay
members, barangay treasurer, [and] barangay secretary AND BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS: Provided, however that the annual appropriations for personal services
shall be subject to the budgetary limitations prescribed under Title Five, Book II of this
Code; PROVIDED FURTHERMORE, THAT THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS
CODE SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE APPLICATION OF AND
ENTITLEMENT TO OTHER INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY
OFFICIALS AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW SUCH AS REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6942 OR
“AN ACT INCREASING THE INSURANCE BENEFITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR” AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883
OR THE "BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS' BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF
1995."

(b) The punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the barangay
treasurer, [and] the barangay secretary AND THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER
shall also:

(a) Be entitled to Christmas bonus of at least One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) each, the
funds for which shall be taken from the general fund of the barangay or from such other
funds appropriated by the National Government for the purpose;

(2) Be entitled, during their incumbency, to insurance coverage which shall include, but
shall not be limited to temporary and permanent disability, double indemnity, accident
insurance, death and burial benefits, in accordance with Republic Act Numbered Sixty-
nine hundred forty-two (R.A. No. 6942), entitled “An Act Increasing the Insurance
Benefits of Local Government Officials and Providing Funds Therefor”;

(3) Be entitled to free medical care including subsistence, medicines, and medical
attendance in any government hospital or institution: Provided, That such hospital care
shall include surgery or surgical expenses, medicines, X-rays, laboratory fees, and other
hospital expenses;

XXX

SEC. 6. Health Education and Training Program for Appointive Barangay
Health Workers. — The Department of Health shall develop a competency-based
training program for all appointive barangay health workers. They shall undergo
intensive training s healthcare provider, community organizer, health service manager,
trainer and educator, and researcher. The program shall include basic orientation and
training on health programs and institutionalized health service delivery system,
primary healthcare, basic community organizing, local health research, social health


insurance navigation, basic local resource generation and mobilization, training needs
analysis, basic report writing and communication skills and program planning and
development. Courses on basic dental care, reproductive health, sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention, nutrition, physical therapy, traditional
and herbal medicine and reflexology shall also be offered.

SEC. 7. Mandatory Continuing Community-Based Health Education. — The
Department of Health, in consultation with appropriate agencies, shall formulate a
module for Mandatory Continuing Community-Based Health Education (MCCHE).
Appointive barangay health workers shall be required to undergo an MCCHE at least
every three (3) years of active service or as may be required by the DOH.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. — The funds needed to implement the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Interior and
Local Government, in coordination with the Civil Service Commission and other
concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations
for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after the enactment
of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not effected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and
administrative regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,