Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1362

introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” |. MASTURA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay officials and volunteer workers, due to their proximity to the people,
are the front-line civil servants and primary public service providers on matters
concerning public health, public order and safety, alternative dispute resolution, and
even disaster risk reduction and management. The success of government plans,
programs and projects, especially in the remote areas of the country, depends
considerably on the capacity of the barangay to implement the laws and execute
government interventions.

Yet, despite the mammoth task imposed upon barangay officials and
volunteer workers, the national government has yet to provide them with the
remuneration that is commensurate with the role they perform in public service
delivery

Hence, this bill is proposed in recognition of the significant contribution of
barangay officials and volunteer workers in nation-building. It seeks to provide social
security benefits for barangay officials and volunteer workers through government
instrumentalities like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Home Mutual Development Fund
(PagIBIG Fund). This bill mandates the membership and enrolment of all barangay
officials and volunteer workers in the GSIS life insurance and social protection
program, the PhilHealth National Health Insurance Program, and the PagIBIG Fund
Voluntary Membership Program:

Finally, this bill also requires the submission of a periodic report to Congress
to ensure the sustainability of the program and the financial stability of the
government corporations. These interventions are devised with the end in view of


promoting the welfare of the people who ensure the safety, security, amity and well-

being of Filipino communities in times of peace and crisis.

In view of its vital importance, the approval of this bill is earnestly squght

SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE”
1. MASTURA
Représentative

First District of Maguindanao
with Cotabato City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. (1362

Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” |. MASTURA

AN ACT
PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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 Officials
and Volunteer Workers’ Social Security Benefits Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
empower government officials and public volunteer workers at the grassroots level.
In line with this policy and in cognizance of the crucial role of barangay officials and
volunteer workers in nation building, the State shall, through the provision of social
security benefits, protect their rights and promote their welfare.

Sec, 3. Coverage. - All Punong Barangays, Members of the Sangguniang
Barangay, Chairpersons of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Secretaries,
Barangay Treasurers, and qualified Members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa,
Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Tanods, and other barangay volunteer workers
shall be automatically covered by this Act: Provided, That the coverage for qualified
barangay volunteer workers shall be made in accordance with pertinent laws and
regulations and based on the qualification standards that may be established by the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other government
agencies concerned: Provided, further, That when the barangay official or volunteer
worker receives a fixed salary whether in the same capacity or by virtue of a
permanent appointment in any other government office, by election to another public
office or by employment in the private sector, their coverage under this Act shall
automatically cease and they shall then be covered under the appropriate faw/s:


Provided, finally, That any of the abovementioned barangay official or volunteer
worker who shall automatically lose coverage or cease to be covered by this Act by
virtue of termination or resignation from office for any lawful cause shall have the
option to continue the coverage by paying the required premiums thereon in
accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 4. Membership of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the
Government Service Insurance System. - The Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS) shall establish a social insurance program to provide life insurance
and social protection to barangay officials and volunteer workers in accordance with
pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 5. Enrolment of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the
National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
— The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall enroll non-member
barangay officials and volunteer workers into the National Health Insurance Program
in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 6. Membership of Non-Member Barangay Officials and Volunteer
Workers in the Voluntary Membership Program of the Home Development Mutual
Fund. - The Home Development Mutual Fund (PagiBIG Fund) shall enroll non-
member barangay officials and volunteer workers into the PaglBIG Fund Voiuntary
Membership Program in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 7. Report to Congress. — The GSIS, PhilHealth and PagIBIG Fund shall
submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Barangay
Officials and Volunteer Workers’ Social Security Benefit Program no later than June
30 of every year. This report shall contain the necessary actuarial studies and
calculations to ensure the sustainability of the social security benefits program and
the financial stability of their respective agencies. GSIS, PhilHealth and PagIBIG
Fund shall submit their respective report either in printed form or by way of
electronic document.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act
following its enactment into law.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DILG and the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) shail, in coordination with the GSIS, the PaglBIG Fund, and the PhilHealth
and after consultation with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LnB) and other
directly affected stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.


Sec. 10. Separability Clause. ~ If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
Publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
Gazette.

Approved,