Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.1567

Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are volunteers accredited by the Local Health Board who
have been trained to provide primary health care services in the community in accordance with the
guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health. They are front liners in the delivery of primary

health care services in the grassroots level.

Recognizing the active role of the BHWs as frontliners in primary health care, Repuiblic Act
No. 7883 otherwise known as the Magna Carta for BHWs was passed in 1995. The law provides
incentives and benefits to all accredited BHWs who are actively and regularly performing their duties
bility,

free legal services and preferential access to loan. However, since the BHWs are not compulsory

such as hazard and subsistence allowance, educational programs, scholarships, civil service eli

members of both the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) and the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), this in effect, denies our BHWs of the basic health, retirement,
disability and funeral benefits that they truly deserve.

Considering the contribution and critical role that our BHWs play in our society, this bill seeks
to make the membership of all accredited BHWs to PHILHEALTH and GSIS compulsory tehreby
expanding and increasing the benefits they are currently receiving.

For the BHWs who devotedly and tirelessly provide primary health care sé&¥te to the Filipino

people, the approval of this Bill is urgently sought


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNOLS6 7

Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY

AN ACT
GRANTING COMPULSORY COVERAGE TO ACCREDITED BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.
AND THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

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

1 SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the
2 “Barangay Heath Workers’ Benefits and Incentlves Act of 1995,” is hereby amended by

3 adding new subsections to read as follows:

“SEC. 6. Incentives and Benefits. — x x x

“(F) PHILHEALTH COMPULSORY COVERAGE. = ALL BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS SHALL BE ENROLLED IN

7 THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM TO ENABLE THEM TO
8 RECEIVE AND AVAIL OF AN ADEQUATE PACKAGE OF PERSONAL
9 HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IN-PATIENT

10 HOSPITAL CARE, OUT- PATIENT CARE, EMERGENCY AND TRANSFER

ad SERVICES, AND ALSO OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTH BENEFITS,


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H.B. NO. 1567
AAS MAY BE PROVIDED IN THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE
CORPORATION (PHIC) AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT (LGU)
WHERE THEY RENDER SERVICES.

“(G) GSIS COMPULSORY COVERAGE. ~ ALL BARANGAY HEALTH

WORKERS SHALL BE ENROLLED IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE,
INSURANCE SYSTEM TO ENABLE THEM TO RECEIVE AND AVAIL OF
THE RETIREMENT, DISABILITY AND FUNERAL BENEFITS.

SEC. 2. The premium contribution and thereafter, the standard monthly
contributions, shall be borne by the LGU concerned; Provided, That the National

Government shall subsidize fifty percent (50%) of the contributions of fourth, fifth and
sixth class municipalities,

Upon the passage of this Act, the barangay health workers shall be automatically
entitled to the full enjoyment and availment of essential health services, as contained in
Republic Act No. 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act, and the retirement, disability
and burial benefits and other supplemental benefits, as may be defined by Republic Act No.

8391 or The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997.

Barangay health workers shall not be required to pay monthly contributions and all

other fees or charges for them to be entitled to these benefits.

SEC. 3. Oversight Provision. - Congress shall conduct a regular review of this
program which shall primarily evaluate its implementation with regard to its impact and
accomplishments. Such review shall be jointly undertaken by the appropriate committees in

the Senate and the House of Representatives which have legislative jurisdiction over this
program.


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H.B. NO. 1567

SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and
the Government Sewice Insurance System, in consultation and coordination with the
appropriate government agencies, such as, but not limited to, the Department of Health,
Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management,
and the leagues of governors, vice governors, mayors, and barangay captains of the
Philippines, shall formulate within one hundred twenty (120) days the rules and regulations

necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder or any of the provisions hereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and
effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential

issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.