Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 522?

introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

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,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution recagnizes social justice vis-a-vis cultural
communities as expressed in Article It, Section 15 stating that “The State shalf
protect and promote the nght to health of the people and instil health
consciousness among them.” and in Article It, Section 22 stating that “The State
recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the
framework of national unity and development.“

Recognizing these provisions of our fundamental law, our indigenous
cultural communities (ICCs) still have no easy access to basic services especially
healthcare. Most tribes and settlements of indigenous cultural communities
(ICC) are located in the hintertands making it difficult for them to avail of such
services. With no other recourse, ICCs turn to traditional medicines and
healthcare whenever a member becomes sick. Benefits of modem medicine and
healthcare are rare for them making them susceptible to serious health problems.

For the past decades, government agencies (GA) and non-government
organizations (NGOs) have sought ways on haw to improve the health conditions
of our indigenous peoples. One way is the sending of people/medical personnel


to these indigenous communities in order to treat common illnesses, With the
format health care delivery system: in the country almost exclusively located in
cities and municipalities, there is an urgent need to train health workers from
tnbal communities to intensity the practice of traditional and alternative medicine,
as well as first aid treatment for their members.

This was done through by the enactment of R.A. 7883 or the “Barangay
Heath Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995." The National Government
was able to train barangay health workers to provide primary healthcare to
members of their respective communities via a competitive benefits and
incentives package. But despite this law, many tribal communities remained
unserved by barangay health workers especially during the night, weekends and
holidays

This proposal seeks to establish and institutionalize the training of tribal
health workers to help complement the existing efforts of our barangay health
workers. These tribal health workers will now be made responsible in providing
primary health care in their respective communities on a 24-hour basis. Their
delegation is intended to complement the DOH in pursuing effective community-
based health services especially in the remote and isolated areas.

We therefore request our colleagues in this chamber to ensure the
immediate passage of this bill into taw.

DIOSDADO-MACAP, ARROYO. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH GONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5227

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

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 Senaie and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shail be known as the "Tribal Heaith Workers
Act of 2011.”

SECTION 2. Statement of policy and objective. - 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. It is also the policy of the State to provide cheap and affordable
quatity medicine and medical services to citizens in far-flung areas and
indigenous communities.

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

a. Barangay Heaith Workers - RA 7883 defines barangay health workers
as referring to a person who has undergone training programs under any
accredited government or non-govemment 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 Workers - refers to members of the ICC community who
have undergone training by government or non-government organizations
and are rendering voluntary heath care in the tribat community

SECTION 4. Tribal Health Workers. — All tribal communities which are
located about 10 km from the barangay center are qualified to have tribal heaith
workers (THW) depending upon the number of families residing therein. Every
30 families are entitted to one tribal health worker. An additional of 20 families
with in tribal community entitles the community to an additional tribat heaith
worker.

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

The DOH shall be responsible for the conduct of training to the tribal
health workers. The DOH may contract the services of non-govemment
organizations (NGOs} to conduct the training. The DOH shall be responsible for
the content of the training, duration of training and the contracting of NGO-
trainers in case it cannot carry out the training itself.

SECTION 6. Responsibilities of the tribal health workers. - The THW is
responsible for providing primary health care to members of the tribes. He is
also responsible, in coordination with the family of the sick person, and/or local
government units for bringing the sick person to the nearest clinic or hospital.

Since primary health care may make use of herbal medicines that are
traditional to the tribe, the THW is mandated to establish 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

SECTION 7. Benefits of Tribal Health Workers. — Similar to the Barangay
Health Workers who are provided with a aumber 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 free govemment health care insurance, the 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) shail provide the insurance as well pay for the
hospitalization of the THW. The DSWD shall work closely with the local
health boards in the granting of these benefits to THW particularly in the
identification of who are entitled to the benefits.

{b) Educational benefits - The THW is entitied to free tuition in public high
schools and universities. Should the THW not be able to benefit from this
incentive himself this benefit is transferrable to one of his/her legitimate
children. These benefits can be availed of only for as long as he/she
remains an active THW.

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

{d) Free fegal services - The Public Attorneys’ Office shalt provide free
legai advice to THW if there is occasion that the latter needs one arising
from or in connection with the exercise of his/her duties and
Tesponsibilities as THW.

SECTION 8. Rules and Regulations of this Act. - The DOH, the DSWD,
the DILG and the DENR shall be responsible for the formulation of the
Implementing Rutes (IRR) and Regutations (IRR) of this Act within 180 days from
its approval.

SECTION 9. Separability clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is dectared
invalid, the remainder, or any provision of this Act not affected thereby shall
remain in force and in effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing clause. — All laws, executive orders,
Proclamations, and other presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this
Act shalt be deemed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at east 2 newspapers of national
circulation, whichever comes earlier

Approved,