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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES D47¢},

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ae

First Regular Session SceISSITION UNAT"

HOUSE BILLNO, 2329 1329 BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Primary health care, being one of the top health campaigns of our
government, relies heavily on barangay initiatives and community participation. In
order to address the basic health necessities given the limited resources, our local
government units count on Barangay Health Workers, also known as Barangay
Health Volunteers, who are accredited to function as such by the local health board
in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health’

With the ever increasing growth rate of our population, our Barangay Health
Workers are truly indispensable in the delivery and promotion of the basic healthcare
services in local communities. They are always in the frontline of providing maternal,
newborn and child health care in the neighborhood. They also act as health
educators and community organizers in order to effectively promote the health
awareness campaigns by the government down to the smallest unit of our society —
the family. Undeniably, the nature of their work is full-time.

Despite the indispensability our Barangay Health Workers, they are treated
sadly as mere “volunteers” under Republic Act (RA) 7883 entitled, “The Barangay
Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995”, Each volunteer receives about
five weeks of training. Barangay Health Workers live in the communities they serve,
and act as change agents in their communities. They provide information, education
and motivation services for primary health care, maternal and child health, child
rights, family planning and nutrition. They may administer immunizations and regular
weighing of children. They often assist midwives in providing birthing services. On
average, each volunteer is expected to work with around 20 families in their
community. However the scarcity of trained individuals has narrowed down the
number of volunteers, especially in some remote areas, where now one or two
volunteers service an entire barangay.”

* Section 3 of Republic Act 7883.

* Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.com, citing the following studies of the Red Cross Philippines, 8 November 2011;
Department of Health: Basic Support for Institutionalizing Child Survival Project Newborn Health in
Philippines, 2012



The cause of the ongoing trend on the dearth of Barangay Health Workers
catering to local communities is easily traced on the compensation these volunteers
receive vis-a-vis the services they provide. Local Government Units (LGUs) vary in
the rates and benefits they provide to these community workers. The allowance
ranging from Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) to Six Thousand Pesos (P6,000.00) is
typically their only source of living, sans fixed income, benefits and incentives. This
rate is hardly enough to make both ends meet for their families. It is high time that
Barangay Health Workers receive more support in exchange for all the services they
selflessly provide in their local communities. The irregular and measly amount
Barangay Health Workers get does not give them the dignity and recognition that
they deserve for the important work that they do

Furthermore, it is also an uncontroverted fact that Barangay Health Workers
are at the mercy of local government officials, due to the absence of security of
tenure. They can be terminated capriciously at the instance of perceived adverse
political leanings. Thus, the present system allows them to be politicized. We must
put an end to this unscrupulous practice.

This bill therefore aims to revise the existing law in order to recognize and
improve on the realities presently at work: Barangay Health Workers and Barangay
Health Services are key towards the attainment of exclusive economic growth
through sustainable human development

This legislation is originally authored by Ang NARS Party-List headed by
Representative Leah S. Paquiz with a counterpart policy measure in the Senate filed
by Senator Grace Poe

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Xe
ul Y IS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

/ /


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,_1309

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACTTO IMPROVE AND TO PROMOTE QUALITY DELIVERY OF HEALTH
SERVICES IN BARANGAYS, ENACTING THE“BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
AND SERVICES REFORM ACT OF 2016”

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 Health
Workers and Services Reform Act of 2016”

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of
living, and an improved quality of life for all. The State recognizes that quality health
care services promote social justice in all phases of national development

The State further protects and promotes the right to health of the people and
provides conditions of health empowerment, where each individual has access to
information and services that will bring about health and well-being. Primary Health
care is recognized as the major strategy towards health empowerment, emphasizing
the need to provide accessible, available and affordable quality health services
through community based participatory strategies.

To this end, the government and all its instrumentalities recognize the
economic and social rights of barangay health workers to just compensation,
consistent with the principle of equa! pay for equal work and work of equal value.


SECTION 3. Definition of terms.-

a.) Barangay Health Workers (BHW), is a support health workers in the
barangay unit, as defined and covered by republic Act (RA) 7305;

b.) Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, as used in this Act, shall refer to
RA 7305;

c.) Primary health Care (PHC), is essential health care made universally
accessible to individuals and families in the community and country can
afford to maintain at every stage and at a cost that the community and
country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the
spirit of self-reliance and self-determination. It forms an integral part both
of the country's health system, of which is the central function and main
focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the
community, characterized by partnership ad empowerment of the people
by means acceptable to them, It is the first level of contact of individuals,
the family and community with the national health system bringing health
care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes
the first element of a continuing health care as close as possible to where
people live and work, and constitute the first element of continuing health
care process’;

d.) Public Health Worker (PHW), as used in this Act, shall mean all persons
who are engaged in health and health-related work, all persons employed
in all hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health
units, barangay health stations, clinics and other health-related
establishments owned and operated by the Government or its political
subdivisions with original charters and shall include medical, allied health
professional, administrative and support personnel employed regardless of
their employment status, as pursuant to Sec. 3 of the Magna Carta of
Public Health Workers.

SECTION 4. Barangay Health Center (BHC). — There shall be one Barangay
Health Center in every barangay unit, with the following basic and essential facilities
and provisions

a.) Adequate lighting and ventilation;

b.) Adequate supply of portable water and electricity;

c.) Floor Area of at least twenty (20) square meters;

d.) Equipment including, but not limited to, blood pressure apparatus, dressing
kit, over the counter medicines, weighing scale for infants and adults,
thermometers, standard operating procedure manual from the Department of
Health (DOH), glucometer, and delivery kit;

e.) Examining Area which must be enclosed, with bed, cabinet, foot stool and
stool;

f.) Toilet with sink and running water; and,

g.) Consultation Area with table, cabinet and two chairs.


SECTION 5. Functions of the Barangay Health Center. - Each BHC shall
have the following functions:

a.) Delivers basic and primary care services for the community to include, but not
limited to, immunization, prenatal check-up, check-up of well and ill infants;

b.) Coordinates efforts and actions of the different members of health team;

c.) Keeps records of health indices, community profile, and other data;

d.) Serves as an area of congregation for meetings of the health team;

e.) Serves as training of future and present members of the health team: and

f.) Assists and coordinates with the respective Local Government Units (LGUs)
and appropriate offices on first aid and procedures in disaster risk reduction

SECTION 6. Barangay Health Workers To Man Botika sa Barangay.
When available and offered in the community especially in far-flung areas, the
Barangay Health Workers shall man and operate “ Botika sa Barangay “ project or
service. They shall likewise be given appropriate trainings by the Department of
Health and Food and Drug Administration in full consultation with the relevant
professional organizations and associations.

SECTION 7. Referral System. —- The BHC shall observe and follow the
referral system framework of Primary Health Care.

SECTION 8. Barangay Health Team Placement. - The BHC shall be
composed of a nurse, a midwife, and a BHW. The operation and functioning of the
BHC shall be headed and supervised by a nurse.

Each BHC shall be manned by a health team proportionate with the existing
population in the Barangay:

a.) Nurse — There shall be at least one nurse for every barangay with a
population not exceeding five thousand (5,000);

b.) Midwife — There shall be at least one midwife for every barangay with a
population not exceeding two thousand five hundred (2,500);

c.) BHW - There shall be at least one BHW for every barangay with a population
not exceeding five hundred (500)

SECTION 9. BHW Qualifications. — (a) Any person who has completed the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) BHW program or
undergone training specific for BHW by TESDA — accredited institution: Provided,
that he or she has passed the training assessment and obtained the equivalent
national certification

(b) All BHW, regardless of accreditation or registration status, who have served
for at least two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act must undergo BHW
assessment by TESDA — accredited assessors and pass the equivalent national
certification. Only those who obtained the equivalent national certification shall be
eligible for employment.


SECTION 10. BHW: Hiring. — (a) The Local Government Selection and
Promotion Board shall process the hiring of the Barangay Health Team personnel,
pursuant to existing Civil Service rules, regulations, issuances and orders on
placement and hiring

(b) All existing BHWs who met the qualifications under Section 8
subparagraph (b) of this Act shall be given preference in hiring and priority in
placement,

SECTION 11. BHW: Duties and Responsibilities.-

a.) The BHW shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Height and weight monitoring, and reporting the same to the BHC;

2. Monitoring and follow-up defaultersin cases of immunization, family
planning, tuberculosis compliance to treatment and others, and reporting
the same to the BHC;

3. Reporting to the BHC any incidence of disease or any health cases in the

community;
Communicating and coordinating with the community to participate in BHC
activities;
Gathering of data about the overall status of health of the community,;
Administering first aid;
Conducting health visits;
. Conducting of Birth Planning for Pregnant Women;
Conducting Health Education;
0. Strengthening referral systems.

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b.) The BHW performs the following duties and responsibilities assistive to the
Barangay Health Team

Sputum collection:

. Identifying people with disease and sickness;
Health community profiling;
Psychosocial debriefing for stress and post — calamity initiatives;
Strengthening the health programs of the government,
Responding in natural calamities and disasters.

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SECTION 12. BHW: Compensation. — The entry pay level of a BHW shall be
the prevailing rate equivalent to Salary Grade One “SG 1”.

SECTION 13. BHW: Incentives and Benefits. - A BHW shall be entitled to
the same incentives and benefits provided under the Magna Carta for Public Health
workers. Further, they shall be covered by the existing statutory benefits such as
GSIS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig. Provided, that in addition, they shall be given burial
and disability assistance in case of death or if the BHW is afflicted by illness which


results in disability. Provided, further, that a regular adjustment in monetary and
other non-monetary incentives shall be made to help improve the living condition of
Barangay Health Workers

SECTION 14. Penal Provision. — Any person who violates the provisions of
this act shall be criminally, civilly, and administratively liable

SECTION 15. Implementing Agencies. — Within one (1) year from the
effectivity of this act, the TESDA and DOH, with the participation of various health
union representatives shall formulate, finalize and launch the BHW training program,
assessment, and national certification program.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department
of Health, the Civil Service Commission, the different local government leagues, and
other appropriate government agencies, with the participation of various health union
representatives, shall formulate and provide an effective mechanism for the selection
and hiring of BHWs.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), local government units,
and other appropriate government agencies, shall allocate the necessary funds for
compensation of the barangay health team.

SECTION 16. Transitory Provision. — Within one (1) year from effectivity of
this act, the TESDA, DOH, DILG, and local government units, shall allocate funds
from their annual appropriations to immediately implement section 8 — subparagraph
(b) and section 9 of this Act

SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this act, the TESDA, DOH, DILG, CSC, DBM, the local
government leagues, in coordination and participation of various health union
representatives, shall provide the Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be published in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

SECTION 18. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be
declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid
and operational

SECTION 19. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7883. Otherwise known
as the “Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995”, is hereby
repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, circulars, issuances, rules and regulations
and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly


SECTION 20. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspaper of general circulation
in the Philippines.

Approved,