NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .
3181

H. B. No.

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay officials and volunteer workers, due to their proximity to the people, are
the front-line civil servants and primary public service providers on matters concerning
public health, public order and safety, alternative dispute resolution, and disaster risk
reduction: and management. As such, the success of government plans, programs and
projects, especially in the remote areas of the country, depends considerably on the
capacity of the barangay government to implement the laws and execute government

interventions.

Despite the Herculean task the national government has imposed on barangay
officials and volunteer workers, the national government has yet to provide them with
the remuneration that is commensurate with the role they perform in public service
delivery. To date, barangay officials and volunteer workers such as barangay secretaries,
barangay treasurers, barangay health workers, barangay nutritionists, barangay tanods,
barangay social workers, and other barangay workers are ranked the lowest among all
civil servants in terms of remuneration, benefits and privileges enjoyed and received

This bill is introduced in recognition of the significant contribution of barangay
officials and volunteer workers in nation-building. It seeks to provide social security
benefits for barangay officials and volunteer workers through government


instrumentalities like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Home Mutual Development Fund (PagIBIG
Fund). This bill mandates the membership and enrolment of all barangay officials and
volunteer workers to the GSIS life insurance and social protection program, the PhilHealth
National Health Insurance Program, and the PagIBIG Fund Voluntary Membership

Program.

Finally, this bill also requires the submission of a periodic report to Congress to
ensure the sustainability of the program and the financial stability of the government
corporations. These interventions are devised with the end in view of promoting the
welfare of the people who ensure the safety, security, amity and well-being of Filipino

communities in times of peace and crisis

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

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No, 3181

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title, ~ This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Officials and
Volunteer Workers’ Social Security Benefits Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
empower government officials and public volunteer workers at the grassroots level. In
line with this policy and in cognizance of the crucial role of barangay officials and
volunteer workers in nation building, the State shall, through the provision of social
security benefits, protect their rights and promote their welfare.

See. 3. Coverage. — All Punong Barangays, Members of the Sangguniang
Barangay, Chairpersons of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Secretaries, Barangay
Treasurers, and qualified Members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, Barangay Health
Workers, Barangay Tanods, and other barangay volunteer workers shall be automatically
covered by this Act: Provided, That the coverage for qualified barangay volunteer
workers shall be made in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations and based on
the qualification standards that may be established by the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) and other government agencies concerned: Provided,
further, That when the barangay official or volunteer worker receives a fixed salary
whether in the same capacity or by virtue of a permanent appointment in any other
government office, by election to another public office or by employment in the private
sector, their coverage under this Act shall automatically cease and they shall then be

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covered under the appropriate law/s: Provided, finally, That any of the abovementioned
barangay official or volunteer worker who shall automatically lose coverage or cease to
be covered by this Act by virtue of termination or resignation from office for any lawful
cause shall have the option to continue the coverage by paying the required premiums
thereon in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 4. Membership of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the
Government Service Insurance System. — The Government Service Insurance System
(GSIS) shall establish a social insurance program to provide life insurance and social
protection to barangay officials and volunteer workers in accordance with pertinent laws
and regulations.

Sec. 5. Enrolment of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the National
Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. ~ The
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall enroll non-member barangay
officials and volunteer workers into the National Health Insurance Program in accordance
with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 6. Membership of Non-Member Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in
the Voluntary Membership Program of the Home Development Mutual Fund. ~ The Home
Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG Fund) shall enroll non-member barangay officials
and volunteer workers into the PagIBIG Fund Voluntary Membership Program in
accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 7. Report to Congress. ~ The GSIS, PhilHealth and PagIBIG Fund shall submit
an annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Barangay Officials and
Volunteer Workers’ Social Security Benefit Program no later than June 30 of every year.
This report shall contain the necessary actuarial studies and calculations to ensure the
sustainability of the social security benefits program and the financial stability of their
respective agencies. The GSIS, PhilHealth and PagIBIG Fund shall submit their respective
report either in printed form or by way of electronic document.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act following
its enactment into law.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DILG and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

shall, in coordination with the GSIS, the PagIBIG Fund, and the PhilHealth and after
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consultation with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LnB) and other directly affected
stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement
the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,