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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 5003

Introduced by Honorable Kimi 8. Cojuangco, Giorgidi B. Aggabao,
Napoleon S. Dy and Robert Raymund &. Estrella

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide compulsory coverage of all accredited barangay
health workers in the National Health Insurance Program amending for the
purpose Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the “Barangay Health
Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995."

Barangay health workers (BHWs) provide front-line health care services
in the communities they serve. They underwent training programs through
accredited government or non-governmental organizations to provide basic,
safe and effective health care services to the people in the barangays. In
health centers, BHWs assist and support government physicians, dentists,
nutritionists, public health nurses and midwives by providing a) first aid; b)
health care services; ¢) nutrition education, monitoring and feeding; d) family
planning services; and. e) sanitation and hygiene promotion and education.

In rendering public service, these workers are exposed to conditions
which endanger their health or life. Sadly, the workers at present, receive an
average honorarium of only Two Hundred pesos (Php250.00} a month. Their
relentless efforts in providing health care to our barangay folks who could not
afford hospital fees are not sufficiently remunerated. They are underpaid and
not even provided with health insurance coverage.

In recognition of their invaluable service as pillars of the nation’s health
care delivery system, and for their dedication to duty and commitment to help
the people, this bill seeks to provide compulsory coverage of all accredited
barangay health workers in the National Health Insurance Program.


in view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill into law is highly

recommended.

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Hh

HON.

|. ROBERT RA’ Mm.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5003

Introduced by Honorable Kimi 8. Cojuangco, Giorgidi B. Aggabao,
Napoleon 8. Dy and Robert Raymund 8. Estrella

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE COMPULSORY COVERAGE OF ALL
ACCREDITED BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN THE NATIONAL
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO; 7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS’ BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995”

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

SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7883 is hereby a
adding a new paragraph to read as follows:

“Sec. 6. Incentives and Benefits. — In recognition of their
services, all accredited barangay health workers who are actively and
regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to the following
incentives and benefits:

ded by

a) x x x

G) PHILHEALTH COMPULSORY COVERAGE. — ALL
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
SHALL BE ENTITLED TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM TO GIVE THEM


ADEQUATE PERSONAL HEALTH CARE WHICH SHALL NOT
BE LIMITED TO IN-PATIENT HOSPITAL CARE, OUT-
PATIENT CARE, EMERGENCY AND TRANSFER SERVICES,
AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PACKAGES OR HEALTH
INSURANCE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE PHILIPPINE
HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHIC).

THE REQUIRED PREMIUMS AND STANDARD
MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKER SHALL BE PAID BY THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY
WHERE THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER IS ASSIGNED:
PROVIDED, THAT IN THE CASE OF FOURTH, FIFTH AND
SIXTH CLASS MUNICIPALITY, THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT SHALL SUBSIDIZE FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF
THE CONTRIBUTION FOR THE PROGRAM.”

SEC. 2. All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential issuances and
other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.
SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in at'least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,