Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5727

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Il of the 1987 Constitution embraces, as a matter of State policy, the goal
“to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.” Furthermore, “the State recognizes and promotes the
rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and
development®.”

Globally, indigenous cultural communities (ICs) suffer from poorer health,
are more likely to experience disability, and ultimately die younger than their non-
indigenous counterparts. They experience health problems with particular severity
as they are also often vulnerable to natural disasters and armed conflict. While this is
the case, it is important to note that many of the most widespread causes of mortality
among indigenous people (e.g. malnutrition, diarrhea, parasitic infections, etc.) are
preventable and treatable. .

The ICCs’ lack of access to adequate healthcare presents itself in a variety of
ways. First, there are physical and geographical barriers as ICCs are settled in rural,
remote, and often isolated areas. They also face economic challenges because the
direct and indirect costs for healthcare prevent or postpone low-income ICCs from
seeking the care they needed. All these are further exacerbated by cultural barriers
because there is little understanding of the social and cultural factors deriving from
the knowledge, attitudes, and practices in health of indigenous people. In addition,
finding health workers that speak and understand indigenous languages is difficult.
This leads to poor communication between the health providers and indigenous
people, thereby compromising the latter's access to healthcare.

To break all these barriers and improve the ICC's access to quality healthcare,
this bill seeks to establish and institutionalize the training of tribal health workers.

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

\LFRED VARGAS

* article I Section 15
2 article Il Section 22


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF
‘TRIBAL HEALTH WORKERS 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 “Tribal Health
Workers Act of 2017”.

SEC. 2. Statement of Policy and Objectives - The Philippine Constitution of
1987 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. Itis also the policy
of the State to provide cheap and affordable quality medicine and medical services to
citizens in far-flung areas and indigenous communities.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following words and
phrases shall be defined as:

(a) Barangay Health Worker - RA 7883 defines barangay health workers as a
person who has undergone health care training programs in any
accredited government or non-government organization and who
voluntarily renders primary health care services in the community after
having been accredited to function as such by the local health board in
accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health
(DOH).

(b) Tribal Health Worker ~ refers to members of ICC who have undergone
health care training by either government or non-government
organizations and renders voluntary health care in the tribal community.

SEC, 4. Tribal Health Workers - All tribal communities which are located
about ten kilometers (10km) from the barangay center are qualified to have tribal
health workers (THW). The number of families in a community will determine the
number of THW in that community - One (1) tribal health worker for every thirty
(30) families.


SEC. 5. Selection and Training of Tribal Health Workers - The tribal Chief
shall appoint, in accordance with the traditions of the tribe, the tribal health worker
and submit his name to the local health board who in turn shall register the
appointed tribal health worker. The local health board will furnish a copy of the list
of tribal health workers to the DOH which shall maintain a national list of tribal
health workers.

SEC, 6. Responsibilities of tribal health workers ~The THW is responsible
for providing primary health care to members of the tribes. He is also responsible
for assisting, if needed, sick person/s to the nearest clinic or hospital.

Since primary health care may use herbal medicines that are traditional to
the tribe, the THW is mandated to establish an herbal garden in the community. The
barangay LGU, the municipal LGU and the CENRO of the DENR are hereby required
to provide assistance to the THW in establishing such herbal garden.

SEC. 7. Benefits of Tribal Health Workers - Similar to the Barangay Health
Workers who are provided with a number of benefits under RA 7883, the THW are
granted the following incentives and benefits:

(a) Free health care insurance and hospitalization - The THW shall be
provided with free PhilHealth Insurance. In addition, the THW shall be
entitled to free hospitalization in case of work-related sickness or injury.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall
provide the insurance and bear the expenses of the hospitalization of the
THW, The DSWD shall work closely with the local health boards in
granting these benefits to the THW, particularly in identifying those who
are entitled to such.

(b) Educational benefits - the THW is entitled to free tuition in public high
schools and universities. Should the THW not be able to avail of this
incentive, he is allowed to transfer this benefit to any one of his/her
legitimate children. This benefit can only be availed by active THWs.

(c) Continuing training - the DOH shall be responsible for providing the
continuing training for the THW on new and emerging primary health
care management as well as new and emerging herbal medicines.

(d) Free legal services - the Public Attorney's Office shall provide free legal
advice to THW if there are occasions that the latter needs one; provided,
however, that the occasion arises from or in connection with the exercise
of his duties and responsibilities as THW.

SEC. 8. Rules and Regulations of this Act. - The DOH, DSWD. DILG and
DENR shall be responsible for the formulation of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) of this Act which shall be formulated within one hundred eighty
(180) days upon its approval.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause ~ If any provision of this Act is declared invalid,
the remainder, or any provisions of this Act is not affected thereby shall remain in
force and in effect.


‘All laws, executive orders, proclamations, and

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause -
t with this Act shall be deemed,

other presidential issuances which are inconsisten|
amended or modified accordingly,

‘Phis Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

SEC, 11, Effectivity
(2) newspapers of general

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two
circulation.

Approved,