NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Barangay Health Workers (BHW) play an important role in the efficient delivery of 
medical services in our society. In the height of the pandemic and as frontline responders, 
the crucial role they play was more highlighted. However, despite their significance in the 
healthcare system of our country, they are often neglected as evidenced by their abysmal 
pay and lack of support from the government. Thus, it is imperative that measures be 
taken to fully address and give to our BHWs what they rightfully deserve.  
Thus, this bill seeks to provide a framework to provide BHWs proper compensation, 
incentives, and other benefits to ensure that they will get a decent standard of living and 
boost morale with the end goal of making the delivery of healthcare services in the 
country more efficient.  
 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren Legarda, this 
bill threfore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. The passing of this bill is 
earnestly sought for the reasons mentioned above. 
ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 
REPRESENATIVE, LONE DISTRICT OF ANTIQUE 
July 13, 2022
8:41 pm
1968


1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
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: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of Barangay 
1 
Health Workers”. 
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
3 
and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
4 
approach to health development. Pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to make essential goods, 
5 
healthcare, and other social services available to all the people. In line with the country’s 
6 
commitment to accomplish health indicator targets under United Nations’ Millennium 
7 
Development Goals (MDGs), the State shall adopt policies that promote the welfare and 
8 
well-being of barangay health workers who are the forefront of the delivery of healthcare at 
9 
the grassroots level, and which shall effectively harness their potential as partners in 
10 
development.  
11 
Sec. 3. Definition. – As used in this Act, the term “barangay health worker” refers to 
12 
a person who has undergone training under any accredited government and non-government 
13 
organization and who voluntarily renders primary healthcare services in the community after 
14 
having been accredited to function as such by the local health board in accordance with the 
15 
guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health (DOH) pursuant to Section 3 of 
16 
Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the “Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and 
17 
Incentives Act of 1995.”  
18 
Sec. 4. Registration. – Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) shall be registered with the 
19 
local health board in the city or municipality in which they render service. The registered 
20 
health workers shall be given appropriate proof of said registration.  
21 
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The municipal and city health offices shall regularly maintain and update the BHW 
1 
Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation and shall submit the same to the 
2 
municipal or city health board. The local health offices shall submit a copy of their respective 
3 
updated BHW registry to the Provincial Health Office which shall consolidate all registries. 
4 
Upon the validation of the Provincial BHW Federation, the consolidated Provincial Registry 
5 
shall be submitted to the Provincial Health Board, and the same shall be posted in the 
6 
municipal or city bulletin boards and barangay health centers.  
7 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every year 
8 
to the DOH at the regional and national levels for consolidation. The DOH is hereby 
9 
mandated to maintain a national register of BHWs.  
10 
In order to qualify for registration, a barangay health worker must:  
11 
a. Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and satisfactorily 
12 
for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the filing of the 
13 
application for registration in the barangay as certified by the Rural Health Midwife 
14 
(RHM) or public health nurse assigned to the barangay and by the head of the 
15 
barangay health workers association;  
16 
b. Have completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed by the 
17 
DOH and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-recognized 
18 
academic institution, or nongovernmental organization (NGO);  
19 
c. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing of the application for 
20 
registration; and,  
21 
d. Be physically and mentally fit.  
22 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation with the 
23 
Provincial Health Office and DOH, to provide the BHW applicants with basic orientation and 
24 
training within six (6) months from the date of approval of their application.  
25 
Sec. 5. Accreditation. – To further professionalize the health care services rendered by 
26 
the BHWs and ensure the health and welfare of the community, a duly registered BHW must 
27 
be accredited by the municipal or city health board.  
28 
The municipal or city health board shall issue the certificate of accreditation to qualified 
29 
BHWs. In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must:  
30 
a. Be registered in accordance with Section 4 hereof;  
31 
b. Have completed in the locality at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory 
32 
service immediately prior to the filing of application for accreditation; and 
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c. Have completed a regular training program on health care service and community-
1 
based health program, that would upgrade and develop the skills and competency of 
2 
BHWs to perform their roles. The training program shall be institutionalized by the 
3 
DOH, in cooperation with local government units (LGUs).  
4 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city LGUs, in cooperation with the provincial 
5 
government and the DOH, to provide the applicant BHWs the necessary support and 
6 
opportunities for accreditation.  
7 
A BHW must complete the regular training program on health care service and 
8 
community- based health program within five (5) years from registration.  
9 
The municipal and city health boards or through their registration and accreditation 
10 
committee shall act on the applications for accreditation of BHWs not later than thirty (30) 
11 
days from the date of application.  
12 
The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is accessible 
13 
to the general public.  
14 
Sec. 6. Number and Role of Barangay Health Workers. – Notwithstanding the 
15 
limitations prescribed under Section 325(a) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise 
16 
known as “The Local Government Code of 1991”, each barangay shall at least have one (1) 
17 
BHW for every twenty (20) households.  
18 
As one of the key partners in a reformed healthcare delivery system, the DOH and LGUs 
19 
shall support the roles of BHWs as:  
20 
a. Advocate - to support, promote and champion current health programs, projects, and 
21 
activities to improve access to quality health services towards the improved health 
22 
status of the community; 
23 
b. Educator - to guide and advise the community on the current DOH and health 
24 
priorities of LGUs such as importance of birth plan and facility-based delivery in 
25 
reducing maternal and infant deaths; newborn screening for the early detection of 
26 
congenital metabolic disorders which may lead to mental retardation and even death, 
27 
among others; 
28 
c. Disseminator - to maintain regular communication with local professional health 
29 
workers on health events and updates and concerns relevant to the community and 
30 
inform the same to the community for appropriate action, if necessary;  
31 
d. Coordinator - to facilitate access to any group or association of the community with a 
32 
relevant network of or specific health and non-health service providers;  
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e. Record Keeper - to maintain updated records of health data, health activities and 
1 
events in the community;  
2 
f. Health Care Service Provider – to assist and provide basic healthcare services as may 
3 
be needed in the community in any health event.  
4 
A BHW shall not be required to engage in any partisan political activity.  
5 
Sec. 7. Mandatory Appointment of Barangay Health Worker (BHW). – There shall be 
6 
appointed at least one (1) BHW in every barangay for every twenty (20) households who 
7 
shall be under the supervision and control of the DOH. The BHW so appointed shall 
8 
coordinate closely with the local government health officer in the implementation of health 
9 
programs in the locality. As far as practicable, the BHW to be employed must be a resident of 
10 
the barangay.  
11 
The DOH shall determine the ratio of barangay health workers according to the 
12 
number of households: Provided, That there shall be at least one (1) BHW for every twenty 
13 
(20) households: Provided, further, That the total number of barangay health workers 
14 
nationwide shall not be less than one percent (1%) of the total population.  
15 
Sec. 8. Incentives and Benefits. – All BHWs who are actively and regularly 
16 
performing their duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in the amount of not less than 
17 
Three Thousand Pesos (Php 3,000.00) subject to adjustment based on the prevailing market 
18 
value, in addition to the following incentives and benefits:  
19 
(a) Privileges for the BHWs. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to twenty 
20 
percent (20%) discount on all the items enumerated under Section 4(a) of Republic 
21 
Act No. 9994 otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”: 
22 
Provided, That the privileges shall not be claimed if the BHW is eligible for a higher 
23 
discount that may be granted by the commercial establishment or other existing laws.  
24 
The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this Section as 
25 
tax deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: Provided, that the 
26 
discount shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income for the same taxable 
27 
year that the discount is granted: Provided, further, that the total amount of the 
28 
claimed tax deduction net of value-added tax, if applicable, shall be included in their 
29 
gross sales receipt for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and 
30 
to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.  
31 
(b) Hazard Allowance. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to hazard allowance 
32 
in an amount to be determined by the local health board of the LGU concerned, which 
33 


 
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in no case shall be less than One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month, subject 
1 
to existing laws, rules, and regulations;  
2 
(c) Subsistence Allowance. – All accredited BHWs who render service within the 
3 
premises of isolated barangay health stations shall be entitled to subsistence 
4 
allowance equivalent to the meals they take in the course of their duty, which shall be 
5 
computed in accordance with prevailing circumstances as determined by the LGU 
6 
concerned. such allowance shall, in no case, be less than One Hundred Pesos (Php 
7 
100.00) per day;  
8 
(d) Transportation Allowance. – All accredited BHWs, in the performance of their 
9 
official duties, shall be entitled to a transportation allowance of not less than One 
10 
Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules and regulations;  
11 
(e) One-time Retirement Cash Incentive. – An accredited BHW who has continuously 
12 
and satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years shall be entitled to a one-time 
13 
retirement cash incentive of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) in 
14 
recognition of their loyalty and dedication, which shall be borne by the municipality 
15 
or city concerned. The provincial government may provide assistance for this 
16 
purpose, in the case of component cities;  
17 
(f) Training, Education and Career Enrichment Programs. – The DOH shall, in 
18 
coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher 
19 
Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
20 
(TESDA), DOH-recognized academic institutions, other concerned agencies and 
21 
nongovernment organizations, provide information on and opportunities for education 
22 
and career enrichment for accredited BHWs, such as in the following programs:  
23 
1. Educational programs which credit the years of primary healthcare service of 
24 
the BHW towards higher education completion in institutions with stepladder 
25 
curricula thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and knowledge for 
26 
community work or to pursue further training as midwives, pharmacists, 
27 
nurses or doctors;  
28 
2. Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field immersion, and 
29 
scholarships, among others; 
30 
3. Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state colleges, to be granted 
31 
to one (1) child of every barangay health worker who will not be able to take 
32 
advantage of the programs described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) hereof; 
33 
and 
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4. Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster preparedness 
1 
and other programs that address emergent community health problems and 
2 
issues.  
3 
(g) Health Benefits. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to the following health 
4 
benefits during their incumbency:  
5 
1. Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses medicines, x-ray 
6 
and other laboratory fees, when confined in any public hospital or health 
7 
institution;  
8 
2. Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 
9 
5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of the barangay concerned, for expenses 
10 
incurred in the nearest private hospital or clinic in case of extreme emergency 
11 
where there is no available public hospital;  
12 
3. Mandatory and immediate membership in the PhilHealth as indirect 
13 
contributors.  
14 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
15 
accredited BHWs not otherwise provided by law;  
16 
(h) Insurance Coverage. – Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance coverage and 
17 
benefits by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne 
18 
by the LGU concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit 
19 
package suited to the needs and unique circumstances of the BHWs;  
20 
(i) Sick, Vacation and Maternity Leaves. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to 
21 
sick, vacation and maternity leaves as may be prescribed in the implementing rules 
22 
and regulations of this Act: Provided, That, the BHWs shall continue to receive their 
23 
monthly honoraria while on leave, for such period in accordance with existing laws 
24 
and practices.  
25 
(j) Cash Gift. – All accredited BHWs are entitled to a cash gift not less than the 
26 
minimum monthly honoraria to be given every December from the general fund of the 
27 
barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national government for the 
28 
purpose;  
 
29 
(k) Disability Benefit. – An accredited BHW who sustains an injury or falls ill in the 
30 
course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two Thousand Pesos 
31 
(Php 2,000.00) for every year of service.  
32 
(l) Civil Service Eligibility. – A first grade eligibility shall be granted to accredited 
33 
BHWs who have rendered three (3) years continuous service as such: Provided, That 
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7
should a BHW become a regular employee of the government, the total numbers of 
1 
years served as such shall be credited to the BHW’s service in the computation of 
2 
retirement benefits.  
3 
No person duly accredited as a BHW shall be removed except for a valid 
4 
cause to be determined by the Local Health Board (LHB): Provided, That if found to 
5 
be unjustly removed from service, a BHW shall be entitled to reinstatement without 
6 
loss of benefits and incentives from the time of termination up to the time of his 
7 
reinstatement. The LHB shall resolve termination cases against a BHW judiciously 
8 
not later than ninety (90) days from the receipt of a complaint.  
9 
(l) Free Legal Services. – Legal representation and consultation services shall be 
10 
immediately provided by the Public Attorney’s Office to a BHW in cases of coercion, 
11 
interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against the BHW arising 
12 
out of or in connection with the performance of their duties as such.  
13 
(m) Preferential Access to Loan Facilities. – The DOH in coordination with other 
14 
concerned government agencies shall provide, within one hundred eighty (180) days 
15 
after the effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide organized BHWs 
16 
access to loan services. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one 
17 
percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized BHW groups that have 
18 
community-based income generating projects in support of health programs or 
19 
activities.  
20 
Sec. 9. Review by the Local Health Board. – Every incentive or benefit for BHWs 
21 
requiring expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and approved by the LHB. Such 
22 
benefits and incentives may be increased, upon review of the LHB, after considering, among 
23 
others, the present Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the Philippine Statistics 
24 
Authority (PSA).”  
25 
Sec. 10. Discrimination Prohibited. – Discrimination against any BHW by reason of 
26 
gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs and ethnic groupings in the exercise of 
27 
their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.  
28 
Sec. 11. Protection of BHWs. – The municipal, city, provincial governments and the 
29 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall establish a grievance 
30 
mechanism as a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged acts of 
31 
discrimination and unjust removal from the service. A BHW may appeal their grievances to 
32 
the DILG.  
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Sec. 12. Right to Self-organization. – A BHW shall have the right to freely form, join 
1 
or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted 
2 
activities, in a manner not contrary to law, and with utmost regard to service to patients and 
3 
the continuous operation of barangay health services in the interest of public health, safety, or 
4 
survival of patients.  
5 
Sec. 13. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health Care 
6 
Provider Network. – The president of the municipal or city association of BHWs shall be a 
7 
member of the municipal or city local health board. The presidents of the association of 
8 
BHWs of each component city and municipality associations of a province shall elect from 
9 
among themselves their representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That, the 
10 
BHW representatives to the health boards shall not be allowed to vote on the registration, 
11 
accreditation and disciplinary or removal complaints of BHWs.  
12 
The BHWs shall also form part of the healthcare provider network and shall 
13 
participate in the implementation of healthcare services and programs.  
14 
Sec. 14. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. – The DOH shall conduct 
15 
continuous capacity building for BHWs to enhance and upgrade their knowledge and skills, 
16 
including training programs conducted online and in major Philippine dialects.  
17 
The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies shall also assist 
18 
the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials that highlight the collective 
19 
experiences and learnings of BHWs and the use of traditional and complementary medicine.  
20 
The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their BHWs and 
21 
other health workers in coordination with TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concerned.  
22 
The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs that will allow 
23 
them to benefit from ladderized training as provided under Republic Act No. 10968, 
24 
otherwise known as the “PQF Act,” and Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise known as the 
25 
“Ladderized Education Act of 2014,” including academic credits for health-related courses.  
26 
Sec. 15. Penalty Clause. – Any local government official who violates any provision 
27 
of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with law.  
28 
Sec. 16. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
29 
shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the LGUs, other local funds 
30 
and the special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as the “Universal 
31 
Health Care Act”.  
32 
Sec. 17. Implementing Rules And Regulation. – The DOH and the DILG shall, in 
33 
consultation with the DepEd, the CSC, the GSIS, and other concerned government agencies 
34 


 
9
and nongovernmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act not 
1 
later than one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act.  
2 
Sec. 18. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
3 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.  
4 
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the 
5 
“Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby repealed. All 
6 
laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are 
7 
hereby repealed, or modified accordingly.  
8 
Sec. 20. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
9 
in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.  
10 
 
Approved,