TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
25 JUL-2 P4--09
;>,i c
Introduced by SENATOR JV EJERCITO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) bill has reached a 
significant milestone during the 19th Congress. With the participation of various 
stakeholders, including the Department of Health (DOH) and the National 
Confederation of Barangay Health Workers of the Philippines (Confederation), the 
Magna Carta of BHWs was passed on third reading by both the Senate and the House 
of Representatives.
We learned so much about the working condition, struggles, and status of our 
BHWs. They are our frontliners; they perform various functions, and are usually 
mobilized by the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other 
agencies in implementing the programs of the government. Most importantly, they 
are at the frontlines in delivering primary health care services which is one of the core 
components of the Universal Health Care Act.
However, the working condition and compensation of BHWs are far from ideal. 
According to the Confederation, BHWs in low-income local government units (LGUs) 
still receive a monthly honorarium as low as Five Hundred Pesos (PhpSOO.OO). First 
class LGUs, however, especially cities in Metro Manila like Taguig and Pasig, can 
provide as much as Eight Thousand Pesos (Php8,000.00) monthly honorarium.


There is also disparity in terms of working condition. While BHWs in cities are 
provided with support from barangays or LCDs, such is not the case in most low- 
income LGUs where BHWs experience spending their own money in order to reach 
far-flung areas in the community.
This measure seeks to provide standards in terms of the amount of honorarium, 
security of tenure, and benefits for our barangay health workers (BHWs). This bill also 
defines the roles of BHWs in providing primary health care.
Under this legislative measure, BHWs shall be entitled to a monthly honoraria 
in recognition of the time, services, and resources they contribute. Registered BHWs 
shall receive, or be provided with, a monthly honorarium of not less than Three 
thousand pesos (P3,000.00); certified BHWs, meanwhile, shall be entitled to a monthly 
honorarium of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00). In addition to the 
monthly honoraria, BHWs will also be entitled to the following benefits:
a. Transportation Allowance/Expense Reimbursements;
b. Subsistence Allowance;
c. Hazard Allowance;
d. Insurance Coverage;
e. Health Emergency Allowance During Public Health Emergency;
f. Cash Gift;
g. One-Time Dedicated Service Recognition Incentive;
h. Education and Career Advancement Programs;
i. 
Free Legal Services; and
j. Preferential Access to Government Livelihood Programs
This bill also situates the BHW as part of the community health teams of health 
stations, health centers and other primary health care facilities that are owned and 
managed by LGUs. The BHW, especially when certified based on DOH standards, will 
have the responsibility to endorse patients to the next level of primary care 
providers/professionals and, in cases of emergency, can coordinate access of patients 
to higher levels of care.
To ensure the health and welfare of communities and to professionalize the 
cadre of BHWs, this bill provides a program for competency-based continuing 
education and training that will allow a BHW to become knowledgeable and skilled on


competencies needed to support health care professionals in providing primary health 
care services in the communities.
Our BHWs are the most overworked yet the most underpaid workers. The 
COVID-19 pandemic showed us the importance of looking after our BHWs for their 
selfless service in our communities. They deserve more than the bare minimum from 
the government. Our commitment in enacting this legislative measure remains 
steadfast.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
JV EJERCITO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session
)
25 JUL-2 P4:09
SENATE 
S. No.___ 4
R!'C"':
Introduced by SENATOR JV EJERCITO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:
1 
CHAPTER I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of
4 
Barangay Health Workers".
5 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect
6 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
7 
them. It is also the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive
8 
approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods,
9 
health and other social services available to the communities.
10 
The State acknowledges that primary health care is a key component in
11 
attaining universal health care and, with the support of local government units (LGUs),
12 
the participation of communities, and volunteerism of the population, is an effective
13 
strategy towards realizing health empowerment and delivering effective health care
14 
programs and services.
15 
The State values the indispensable role of barangay health workers (BHWs) as
16 
the frontliners in providing primary health care services and, therefore, shall adopt
17 
policies that will harness their potential as partners in national development.


1 
Pursuant thereto, the State shall define their roles and responsibilities,
2 
prescribe the methods for their recruitment and retention, identify programs for
3 
capability-building and career advancement, and provide avenues to ventilate and
4 
resolve issues concerning them.
5 
The State shall also, in recognition of the spirit of volunteerism and concern for
6 
the upliftment of the health status of communities, promote the welfare and well-
7 
being of volunteer BHWs and provide them with incentives and benefits through the
8 
collaborative efforts of LGUs and the national government.
9 
SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all BHWs, whether as volunteers or
10 
government employees, and all LGUs and national government agencies that mobilize
11 
BHWs to expand the delivery of primary health care services to communities, families,
12 
and individuals.
13 
CHAPTER II
14 
THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN
15 
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DELIVERY
16 
SEC. 4. The Role of BHWs in Providing Primary Health Care. -The BHWs shall
17 
serve as frontliners in supporting the delivery of primary health care in the community.
18 
They shall form part of the community health teams of the barangay health station,
19 
health center, or any other primary health care facility of the municipal/city health
20 
office, established to provide primary health care services to a barangay or a part of
21 
it, or a cluster of barangays. For this purpose, BHWs are hereby declared as members
22 
of the cadre of community health care workers.
23 
The head of the barangay health station, health center, or any other primary
24 
health care facility, of the municipal/city health office, shall exercise day-to-day direct
25 
control and supervision over the BHWs.
26 
The BHWs shall perform the following roles:
27 
(a) Primary Health Care Service Provider - to assist in the health care facilities
28 
in providing primary health care services to the members of the community;
29 
(b) Health Educator - to provide knowledge and skills to members of the
30 
community in the prevention and management of simple illnesses;
31 
(c) Community Organizer - to organize and mobilize the community towards
32 
self-reliance; and


1 
(d) Record Keeper - to assist in the development and maintenance of a
2 
community health profile, and collect and collate health data and information of
3 
families and individuals in the community.
4 
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11223, or the "Universal Health Care Act", certified
5 
BHWs, who have undergone the certification process under Section 10 of this Act,
6 
shall serve as primary care workers and shall act as the navigators, initial and
7 
continuing points of contact in the health care delivery system. They shall endorse
8 
patients to the next level of health care provider within the health care provider
9 
network to which the barangay health station, health center, or any other primary
10 
health care unit, belongs: Provided, That, except in emergency or serious cases and
11 
when proximity is a concern, access to higher levels of care shall be coordinated by
12 
the certified BHWs.
13 
To effectively and efficiently perform these roles and expectations, the BHWs
14 
to be assigned to a barangay health station, health center, or any other primary health
15 
care facility should be residents of the community.
16 
For the effective implementation of this Section, the Department of Health
17 
(DOH) shall promulgate the policies, guidelines, and the specific duties and
18 
responsibilities of registered and certified BHWs.
19 
SEC. 5. Coordination Between the Health Station/Health Center/Health Care
20 
Facility of the Municipai/City Health Office with the Barangay. - The head of the
21 
barangay health station, health center, or any other primary health care facility, of the
22 
municipal/city health office shall coordinate and collaborate with the punong
23 
barangay, or with several punong barangays in the case of health centers providing
24 
services to a cluster of barangays, in the implementation of programs and activities to
25 
address the primary health care needs of the communities.
26 
Pursuant to Section 17(b)(1)(H) of the Local Government Code, as amended,
27 
the punong barangay s\\aW support the delivery of health services in the community
28 
by ensuring the maintenance of the health station/center, or any other primary health
29 
care facility, particularly in providing the necessary additional logistical support,
30 
supplies and services needed by BHWs.
31 
SEC. 6. Number of Barangay Health Workers. - The determination of the
32 
number of BHWs who can serve a barangay or a cluster thereof shall be guided by


1 
and based on, among others, the catchment population, the community health profile,
2 
and the need for different primary heaith care services.
3 
The DOH, in consultation with iocal government units, shail determine the ideai
4 
ratio of BHWs with the required competencies to households and shall issue an
5 
updated policy on this ratio every five (5) years.
6 
CHAPTER III
7 
REGISTRATION, CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND RETENTION
8 
SEC. 7. Registration. - To qualify as a BHW, an appiicant must meet the
9 
foliowing requirements:
10 
(a) At least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of the filing of the application
11 
for registration;
12 
(b) Physically and mentally fit; and
13 
(c) With basic orientation and training as prescribed by the DOH completed in
14 
the same year of application for registration.
15 
The municipai/city heaith board may provide additional qualifications based on
16 
the community health profile and the needs of its catchment population.
17 
Eligible applicants shall register with the local health board in the municipality
18 
or city where they reside and intend to render service, and shall be given appropriate
19 
proof of said registration.
20 
It shall be the duty of the municipal/city health offices, in cooperation with the
21 
provincial health offices and the DOH, to provide interested applicants as BHWs with
22 
basic orientation and training.
23 
SEC. 8. Roie of the Municipai and City Locai Heaith Boards. - In addition to
24 
their functions under Section 102, Title V of the Local Government Code, as amended,
25 
the municipal/city health boards shall prescribe the policies and guidelines and be
26 
responsible for the recruitment, selection, registration, certification, retention and
27 
removal of, and the resolution of complaints and grievances involving, BHWs in their
28 
jurisdictions.
29 
The decisions of the municipal/city health board with regard to the revocation
30 
of registration of a BHW or on the resolution of complaints and grievances of and
31 
against BHWs may be appealed to the provincial health board and, thereafter, to the
32 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).


1 
The DILG, in collaboration with the DOH, shall provide the general guidelines
2 
in setting up the grievance and appeal mechanism.
3 
SEC. 9. National BMW Information System. - A National BMW Information
4 
System shall be established and maintained by the DOH, in partnership with the
5 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), to assist the
6 
national government and LGUs in formulating and implementing policies and programs
7 
for the organization and development of the cadre of BHWs.
8 
The Information System shall be the sole source of real-time data and
9 
information on BHWs nationwide. It shall contain the list of all BHWs at the barangay,
10 
municipal, city and provincial levels, their socio-demographic profiles, qualifications,
11 
areas of assignment, and other information that the DOH may deem necessary.
12 
The municipal/city health boards shall be responsible for registering and
13 
continuously updating the records of BHWs in their jurisdictions.
14 
The provincial health boards, with the assistance of the DOH, shall provide
15 
training to municipal/city health boards within the province on the use of the
16 
Information System and ensure that the local health boards regularly submit accurate
17 
data and information on their BHWs.
18 
SEC. 10. Certification of BHWs. - To ensure the health and welfare of the
19 
community and further professionalize the cadre of BHWs in rendering primary health
20 
care services, a duly registered BHW shall undergo certification by the municipal/city
21 
health board.
22 
The DOH, in consultation with the Technical Education and Skills Development
23 
Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Civii Service
24 
Commission (CSC), shall promulgate the policies, standards and guidelines for the
25 
certification of competency of BHWs.
26 
To qualify for certification, a registered BHW must have:
27 
(a) Completed at least two (2) years of continuous service in the locality;
28 
(b) Completed the training on the roles, duties, and responsibilities as a BHW,
29 
as prescribed by the DOH;
30 
(c) Provided satisfactory performance as evaluated by the health care
31 
professional supervising the concerned BHW immediately prior to the filing of
32 
application for certification; and


1 
(d) Completed the courses for the certification component of the Education and
2 
Training Program under Section 11 of this Act.
3 
The municipal/city health boards shall act on the application for certification of
4 
a BHW not later than thirty (30) days from the date of application and issue the
5 
certificate of competency to a qualified BHW upon inspection, verification, or testing
6 
of conformance to policies, standards and guidelines issued by the DOH.
7 
It shall be the duty of the municipal/city governments, in cooperation with the
8 
provincial government and the DOH, to provide the applicant BHW the necessary
9 
support and opportunities for certification.
10 
SEC. 11. Education and Training Program for BHWs. -The DOH a nd the TESDA,
11 
in collaboration with the CSC, the CHED, relevant government agencies, LCDs,
12 
education institutions, and stakeholders, shall develop and institutionalize a continuing
13 
competency-based education and training curriculum for all BHWs.
14 
The curriculum shall train the BHWs as primary health care service providers,
15 
health educators, community organizers, and record keepers. It shall prescribe the
16 
courses for the certification component and the courses for continuing health
17 
education and capacity-building for all BHWs.
18 
The DOH and the TESDA shall complement the competency-based education
19 
and training curriculum by making available web-based and mobile applications for
20 
purposes of:
21 
(a) Providing training materials to enhance the knowledge and skills of BHWs;
22 
(b) Offering forums for BHWs to communicate, share experiences and seek
23 
advice from peers and health professionals;
24 
(c) Disseminating new policies, programs and guidelines pertaining to their
25 
roles and responsibilities;
26 
(d) Facilitating reporting and feedback mechanisms to improve service delivery
27 
and address challenges faced in the field; and
28 
(e) Offering resources, including health and wellness programs, for personal
29 
and professional development.
30 
SEC. 12. Inclusion of the BHW Positions in the Government PiantiHa. - The
31 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with the CSC, the DOH
32 
and LCDs, shall establish the position classification and the corresponding salary


1 
grades for BHWs in the Index of Occupational Services, Occupational Groups, Classes
2 
and Salary Grades for the national government, and the Index of Occupational
3 
Services, Position Titles and Salary Grades in the Local Government. Municipalities and
4 
cities may employ BHWs in their respective LGUs.
5 
SEC. 13. Retention and Continuous Service of BHWs. - Registered and certified
6 
BHW shall continue to perform their roles, duties, and responsibilities except due to
7 
the withdrawal of an individual as a BHW or removal for cause by the municipal/city
8 
health board after due process. The continuity of services of BHWs, revocation of their
9 
registration, or their removal from the cadre of BHWs, shall follow the policies and
10 
guidelines promulgated by the DILG and the DOH.
11 
CHAPTER IV
12 
INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS, RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, OF BHWS
13 
SEC. 14. Incentives and Benefits of BHWs. - (a) In recognition of the time,
14 
services, and resources they contribute, registered and certified volunteer BHWs shall
15 
receive, or be provided with, the following:
16 
(1) Monthly Honoraria. - A monthly honorarium of not less than Three
17 
thousand pesos (P3,000.00) for registered BHWs and not less than Five thousand
18 
pesos (P5,000.00) for certified BHWs: Provided, That no diminution of monthly
19 
honoraria can be made on BHWs already receiving more than the herein prescribed
20 
minimum amounts: Provided, further. That the DOH, in coordination with the DILG
21 
and the DBM, shall review and adjust the minimum honoraria every three years;
22 
(2) Transportation Allowance/Expense Reimbursements. - Registered and
23 
certified BHWs shall be provided by the barangay with transportation allowance or
24 
reimbursement of actual transportation expense for the performance of their
25 
functions, as may be authorized by law or regulation: Provided, That the barangay
26 
may instead provide applicable forms of transportation to enable the BHWs provide
27 
the needed primary health care service: Provided, further. That the municipality or
28 
city, through its health office, may shoulder such allowance or expense: Provided,
29 
finaiiy. That official travels, such as seminars, conferences and transport of patients
30 
outside of the barangay or locality, shall be shouldered by the barangay, municipality,
31 
city or province that authorized such official travel and shall not be deducted from the
32 
honoraria of the BHWs;


1 
(3) Subsistence Allowance. - The concerned municipality or city shall provide
2 
BHWs who render service in unserved or underserved barangays where they are not
3 
residents, to make their services available at any and all times, with subsistence
4 
allowance equivalent to the meals taken during their duty, which shall be computed
5 
following prevailing circumstances. In no case such subsistence allowance be less than
6 
One hundred pesos (PIOO.OO) per day;
7 
(4) Hazard Allowance. - BHWs who, in the exercise of their duties, are
8 
exposed to situations, conditions, or factors in the work environment or place where
9 
foreseeable but unavoidable danger or risks to their health, life, or on their person
10 
exist, including assignment to communities in or recovering from a situation of armed
11 
conflict, as validated by proper authorities, shall be given a hazard allowance by the
12 
concerned municipality or city in an amount to be determined by its local health board
13 
and the local peace and order council unit, which shall in no case be less than One
14 
thousand pesos (P 1,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules and
15 
regulations;
16 
(5) Insurance Coverage. - Insurance coverage and benefit packages from the
17 
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), suited to their needs and unique
18 
circumstances, shall be borne by the concerned municipality or city. For this purpose,
19 
the GSIS shall design such appropriate insurance packages;
20 
(6) Health Emergency Allowance During Public Health Emergency. -
21 
Volunteer BHWs who are part of the National BHW Information System and are
22 
assigned to health facilities and barangay health emergency response teams during
23 
public health emergencies shail be entitled to the Health Emergency Allowance and
24 
other benefits prescribed in Republic Act No. 11712. The national government shall
25 
provide funds for the payment of the HEA and other benefits;
26 
(7) Cash Gift. - The BHWs shall be entitled to a Cash Gift not less than the
27 
minimum monthly honoraria, to be given every December;
28 
(8) One-time Dedicated Service Recognition Incentive. - A BHW who
29 
withdraws as a registered or certified BHW but has continuously and satisfactorily
30 
served for at least fifteen (15) years shall, in recognition of his/her loyalty, dedication,
31 
and service, be entitled to a one-time incentive of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos
32 
(P10,000.00), which shall be borne by the concerned municipality or city. The national


1 
and provincial governments shall assist in case of non-availability of funds from the
2 
concerned municipality or component city;
3 
(9) Education and Career Advancement. — The DOH, in coordination with the
4 
Department of Education, CHED, TESDA, CSC, other concerned national government
5 
agencies, non-government organizations, and LGUs, shall provide information on, and
6 
opportunities for, education and career advancement for BHWs, such as:
7 
(i) Educational programs that credit the years of primary health care service
8 
of the BHW and the number of training hours gained during attendance to courses
9 
covered by the Education and Training Program under Section 11 of this Act towards
10 
higher education completion in institutions with step-ladder curricula, as provided
11 
under Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise known as the "PQF Act," and Republic Act
12 
No. 10647, otherwise known as the "Ladderized Education Act of 2014," allowing them
13 
to upgrade their skills and knowledge for community work or to pursue further training
14 
as health care professionals;
15 
(ii) Continuing education, study and exposure tours, field immersion, and
16 
scholarship and financial grants, among others;
17 
(iii) Scholarship grant or financial assistance to be granted to one (1) child of a
18 
BHW who is unable to take advantage of the programs described in paragraphs (i)
19 
and (ii) hereof; and
20 
(iv) Special training programs, such as traditional medicine, disaster
21 
preparedness, and other programs that address emergent community health problems
22 
and issues;
23 
(10) Free Legal Services. - Legal representation and consultation services shall
24 
be immediately provided by the Public Attorney's Office to a BHW in cases of coercion
25 
or interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against the BHW arising
26 
out of or in connection with the performance of their duties; and
27 
(11) Preferential Access to Government Livelihood Programs. - Government
28 
agencies providing livelihood programs shall provide organized BHWs preferential
29 
access to loan services.
30 
Provided, That in the provision of the Monthly Honoraria and the Cash Gift, and
31 
in consideration of the financial assistance of the national government to third, fourth
32 
and fifth class municipalities, as provided under Section 15 of this Act, the provinces.


1 
in consultation with component cities, municipalities and barangays within their
2 
jurisdiction, shall determine the actual amount or percentage share that each LGU will
3 
give to BHWs: Provided, further, That nothing herein limits the barangay, municipality,
4 
city, or province, from fully shouldering the provision of the Monthly Honoraria and
5 
the Cash Gift: Provided, furthermore. That nothing herein prevents the barangay,
6 
municipality, city, and province from providing additional monetary and non-monetary
7 
benefits to BHWs to supplement those given by another concerned LGU within the
8 
province: Provided, fmaiiy. That these honoraria shall be given starting January of the
9 
ensuing fiscal year unless the LGUs, singly or collectively, immediately provide the
10 
needed funding.
11 
(b) Certified BHWs shall be granted sub-professional eligibility if they have
12 
rendered at least five (5) years of continuous service as such: Provided, That should
13 
a certified BHW who was granted a sub-professional eligibility under this Subsection
14 
becomes a regular employee of the government, the total number of years served as
15 
such shall be credited to the BHW's service in the computation of retirement benefits.
16 
(c) The emoluments, incentives, benefits, honoraria, allowances and
17 
reimbursements of BHWs employed by the municipality, city, province, or national
18 
government agencies on a regular, contractual, casual or job order basis shall be
19 
governed by laws applicable to the civil service and the policies issued by the CSC, the
20 
Office of the President, the DBM, and the LGU under which they are employed.
21 
SEC. 15. BHW Depioyment Subsidy to Low-Income Municipaiities. - There is
22 
hereby mandated a BHW Deployment Subsidy to Low-Income Municipalities to provide
23 
financial assistance to third, fourth, and fifth class municipalities and enable them to
24 
deploy a sufficient number of volunteer BHWs in their communities, particularly to
25 
unserved or underserved areas in their jurisdictions, and provide incentives to
26 
dedicated volunteer BHWs. Priority shall be given to municipalities with less or no
27 
capacity to give regular and adequate monthly honoraria and other incentives to their
28 
BHWs, as determined by the DOH and the DILG.
29 
SEC. 16. Discrimination Prohibited. - Discrimination against any BHW by reason
30 
of gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs and ethnic groupings in the
31 
exercise of their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.
10


1 
SEC. 17. Prohibition on Participation in PoiiticaiActivities. -To maintain their
2 
integrity and impartiality, and eliminate the possibility of conflict with their catchment
3 
households, BHWs are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities. Any
4 
BHW who files an application as a candidate in any political position is hereby deemed
5 
removed from the list of registered BHWs or resigned from government service, as
6 
the case may be. Participation in political activities shall serve as basis of the local
7 
health board to remove BHWs from the list of registered BHWs.
8 
CHAPTER V
9 
ASSOCIATIONS AND FEDERATIONS OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
10 
SEC. 18. Associations and Federations of BHWs. -There shall be organized
11 
associations of BHWs at the municipal and city levels, and federations at the provincial,
12 
regional, and national levels.
13 
The provincial federation shall be composed of all municipal and city BHW
14 
associations within a province. A regional federation shall be composed of all provincial
15 
BHW federations within a region, except for the regional federation of the National
16 
Capital Region, which shall be comprised of all municipal and city BHW associations in
17 
Metro Manila. All regional BHW federations shall constitute the national federation.
18 
Regional federations may form sub-national federations.
19 
These associations and federations shall serve as the venues to ventilate issues
20 
and formulate and communicate policy proposals concerning BHWs, particularly on
21 
their roles and duties as the frontliners, as well as their welfare and well-being, in
22 
supporting the delivery of primary health care services in the community.
23 
The municipal and city associations and the provincial and regional federations
24 
shall elect their respective president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and other
25 
officers as they may deem necessary.
26 
The national federation shall elect a board of directors headed by a chairperson
27 
and a set of national officers headed by a national president, as prescribed in their
28 
constitution and by-laws. A secretary-general shall be chosen from among the national
29 
federation members to manage the day-to-day operations and activities of the
30 
federation. The board of directors may create such other positions as may be
31 
necessary for the management of the affairs of the national federation.
11


1 
SEC. 19. Consultation with Local Health Boards. - The different local health
2 
boards shall consult the associations and federations under their jurisdictions on,
3 
among others, the roles and responsibilities of BHWs for the effective delivery of
4 
primary health care services.
5 
CHAPTER VI
6 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
7 
SEC. 20. Observance ofBHWDay - Every barangay shall commemorate BHW
8 
Day on April 7 of every year in recognition of the service of BHWs, their heroic service
9 
in times of crisis, and their indispensable role in promoting health and wellness among
10 
the citizenry.
11 
The DOH, in cooperation with the DILG and all LGUs, shall hold simple
12 
ceremonies or activities to highlight the indispensable role of BHWs in nation-building.
13 
SEC. 21. Penalty Clause. - Any local government official who violates any
14 
provision of this Act shall be administratively and criminally charged in accordance
15 
with law.
16 
SEC. 22. Annual Accomplishment Reports. -The DOH and the DILG shall submit
17 
to the Office of the President, the Senate of the Philippines and the House of
18 
Representatives, an annual report on the accomplishments and challenges with regard
19 
to the implementation of this Act.
20 
SEC. 23. Appropriations. —The amounts necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be charged against the funds of LGUs and the appropriations of the DOH.
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The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the BHW Deployment
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Subsidy to Low-Income Municipalities shall be charged against the current
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appropriations of the DOH and shall thereafter be included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The DOH and the DILG shall,
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in consultation with the LGUs, the national federation of BHWs, the CSC, the DBM, the
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TESDA, the CHED, the GSIS, other concerned government agencies, non-government
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organizations, and academic and training institutions, promulgate the rules and
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regulations to implement this Act not later than one hundred eighty (180) days from
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its effect!vity.
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SEC. 25. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
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SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the
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"Barangay Health Workers' Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995" is hereby repealed.
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All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent
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with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly
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SEC. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette ox in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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