HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

pare: 02 AUG 2016
ac: OTH
BY:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI

H.No. 2359
rr ON UNIT
“el TNO INDEX SERVICE
Introduced by Representative VILMA SANTOS-RECTO
6th District of Batangas
AN ACT

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

Explanatory Note

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

Yet despite the Herculean task the national government has imposed on barangay officials
and volunteer workers, the national government has yet to provide the barangay officials and
Volunteer workers the remuneration that is commensurate with the role they perform in public
service delivery. To date, barangay officials and volunteer workers such as barangay secretary,
barangay treasurer, barangay health workers, barangay nutritionists, barangay tanods, barangay
social workers, and others are ranked the lowest among all civil servants in terms of remuneration,
benefits and privileges enjoyed and received.

‘This bill is endorsed 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 to 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 ir-times of pe

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this Kills cemmesthySouel ‘ss

VILMA SANTOS-RECTO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Z30d
H. No.

Introduced by Representative VILMA SANTOS-RECTO.
6th District of Batangas

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

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

si
Workers’ Social Security Benefits Act of 2016.”

(ON 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Officials and Volunteer

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 beestablished by the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other government
agenciesconcerned:Provided, further, Thatwhen 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 shall then be covered under the appropriate
law/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.


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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.

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.

6.Membership of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in theVoluntary
Membership Program of the Home Mutual Development Fund. ~ The Home Mutual Development
Fund (PAGIBIG Fund) shall enroll non-member barangay officials and volunteer workers into the
PAGIBIG Fund Voluntary Membership Program in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.
.- The GSIS, PHILHEALTH and PAGIBIG Fund shall submit

an annual report to Congress on the Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers’ Social Security

SEC. 7.Report to Congres

Benefit Program. 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 funding requirement for the implementation of this Act shall
be initially sourced from existing appropriations of the DILG and any funds in the National
Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the implementation of
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

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)shall, in coordination
with the GSIS, the PAGIBIG 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.

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.

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,