Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No________________ 
Introduced by Representatives EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA and 
ALFEL M. BASCUG 
Explanatory Note 
Our barangay health workers are at the forefront of the state’s program to provide 
primary health care services to all Filipinos, especially those in the isolated rural communities.  
Notably, our barangay health workers, have been delegated with the basic-health care task 
which alleviated the load of our national healthcare system overwhelmed to the brim. As it is 
in fact the case, they augmented the decreasing number of our doctors and nurses even prior to 
the COVID-19 pandemic.  
The indispensable role of our barangay health workers was duly highlighted during the 
surge of COVID-19 cases when they were tasked to frontline the pandemic response in the 
communities despite the risk posed to their lives. As indeed the case, many of our BHWs died 
to COVID-19 while serving their communities. The pandemic, if at all, brought to the fore the 
selfless dedication and commitment to public service of our BHWs. Despite their laudable 
contributions in making health care services accessible, our BHWs have been overlooked and 
neglected in so far as compensation and technical trainings are concerned. It is but high time 
that our BHWs be finally given the respect and assistance of the State for all their heroic deeds 
and services to the country.  
In consonance with the State!s constitutional mandate to protect and promote the right 
to health of the Filipinos, this measure provides for well-deserved incentives and benefits to 
our barangay health workers. This bill also proposes continuing capacity building program for 
our BHWs as the primary means to upgrade their knowledge and skills in the field.  
This bill was approved in the House of Representatives during the 18th Congress and 
was duly transmitted to the Senate. 
Given the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought 
              ALFEL M. BASCUG 
EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
 1ST District, Agusan del Sur 
2nd District, Agusan del Sur 
July 4, 2022
3:42 pm
1109


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No________________ 
Introduced by Representatives EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA and 
ALFEL M. BASCUG 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH 
WORKERS 
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 "Magna Carta of Barangay Health 
Workers”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach 
to health development. Pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to make essential goods, healthcare, 
and other social services available to all people. In line with the country!s commitment to 
accomplish health indicator targets under United Nations #!Millennium Development Goals 
(MDGs), the State shall adopt policies that promote the welfare and well-being of barangay 
health workers who are at the forefront of the delivery of healthcare at the grassroots level, and 
which shall effectively harness their potential as partners in the development. 
SECTION 3. Definition.- As used in this Act, the term "barangay health workers” refers to a 
person who has undergone training under any accredited government and nongovernment 
organization and who voluntarily renders primary healthcare 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) pursuant to Section 3 of Republic 
Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the "Barangay Health Workers” Benefits and Incentives Act 
of 1995. 
SECTION 4. Registration. - Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) shall be registered with the 
local health board in the city or municipality in which they render service. The registered health 
workers shall be given appropriate proof of said registration. 
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The municipal and city health officers shall regularly maintain and update the BHW 
Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation and shall submit the same to the municipal 
or city health board. The local health offices shall submit a copy of their respective updated 
BHW registry to the Provincial BHW Federation, the consolidated Provincial Registry shall be 
submitted to the Provincial Health Board, and the same shall be posted in the municipal or city 
bulletin boards and barangay health centers. 
 
 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every year to 
the DOH at the regional and national levels for consolidation. The DOH is hereby mandated to 
maintain a national register of BHWs. 
 
 
In order to qualify for registration, a barangay health worker must: 
 
a. Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and satisfactorily for 
at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of filing of an application for 
registration in the barangay as certified by the Rural Health Midwife (RHM) or public 
health nurse assigned to the barangay and by the head of the barangay health workers 
association; 
 
b. Have completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed by the DOH 
and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-recognized academic 
institution, or non-government organization (NGO); 
 
c. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing of the application for 
registration; and 
 
d. Be physical and mentally fit. 
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation with the 
Provincial. Health Office and DOH, to provide the BHW applicants with basic orientation and 
training within six (6) months from the date of approval of their application. 
 
SECTION 5. Accreditation. – To further professionalize the health care services rendered by 
the BHWs and ensure the health and welfare of the community, a duly registered BHW must 
be accredited by the municipal or city health board. 
 
 
The municipal or city health board shall issue the certificate of accreditation to qualified 
BHWs. In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must: 
 
a. Be registered in accordance with Section 4 hereof; 
 
b. Have completed in the locality at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory 
service immediately prior to the filing of an application for accreditation; 
 
c. Have completed a regular training program on health care service and a community-
based health program, that would upgrade and develop the skills and competency of 
BHWs to perform their roles. The training program shall be institutionalized by the 
DOH, in cooperation with local government units (LGUs). 
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city LGUs, in cooperation with the provincial 


 
 
government and the DOH, to provide the applicant BHWs with the necessary support and 
opportunities for accreditation. 
 
A BHW must complete the regular training program on health care service and community-
based health programs within five (5) years from registration. 
 
The municipal and city health boards or through their registration and accreditation 
committee shall act on the applications for accreditation of BHWs not later than thirty (30) 
days from the date of application. 
 
 
The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is accessible 
to the general public. 
 
SECTION 6. Number and Role of Barangay Health Workers. - Notwithstanding the 
limitation prescribed under Section 325 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise 
known as the "The Local Government Code of 1991”, each barangay shall at least have one (1) 
BHW for every twenty (20) households. 
 
 
As one of the key partners in a reformed healthcare delivery system, the DOH and 
LGUs shall support the roles of BHWs as: 
 
a. Advocate- to support, promote and champion current health programs, projects, and 
activities to improve access to quality health services towards the improved health 
status of the community; 
 
b. Educator- to guide and advise the community on the current DOH and health 
priorities of LGUs such as the importance of a birth plan and facility-based delivery 
in reducing maternal and infant deaths; newborn screening for the early detection 
of congenital metabolic disorders which may lead to mental retardation and even 
death, among others; 
 
c. Disseminator- to maintain regular communication with local professional health 
workers on health events and updates and concerns relevant to the community and 
inform the same to the community for appropriate action, if necessary; 
 
d. Coordinator- to facilitate access to any group or association of the community with 
a relevant network of or specific health and non-health service providers; 
 
e. Record-keeper- to maintain updated records of health data, health activities, and 
events in the community; 
 
f. Health Care Service Provider- to assist and provide basic healthcare services as may 
be needed in the community in any health event. 
 
A BHW shall not be required to engage in any partisan political activity. 
 
SECTION 7. Mandatory Appointment of Barangay Health Worker (BHW). - There shall be 
appointed at least one (1) BHW in every barangay for every twenty (20) households who shall 
be under the supervision and control of the DOH. The BHW so appointed shall coordinate 
closely with the local government health officer in the implementation of health programs in 


 
 
the locality. As far as practicable, the BHW to be employed must be a resident of the barangay. 
 
SECTION 8. Incentives and Benefits. – All BHWs who are actively and regularly performing 
their duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in the amount of not less than Three Thousand 
Pesos (P3,000.00) subject to adjustments based on the prevailing market value, in addition to 
the following incentives and benefits: 
 
a. Privilege for the BHWs – All accredited BHW shall be entitled to twenty percent (20%) 
discounts on all items enumerated under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9994 
otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, Provided, That the 
privileges shall not be claimed if the BHW is eligible for a higher discount that may be 
granted by the commercial establishment or other existing laws. 
 
The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this Section as a tax 
deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: Provided, that the discount 
shall be allowed as a deduction from the gross income for the same taxable year that the 
discount is granted: Provided, further, that the total amount of the claimed tax deduction net of 
value-added tax, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipt for tax purposes and 
shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue 
Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
b. Hazard Allowance – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to hazard allowance in an 
amount to be determined by the local health board of the LGU concerned, which in no 
case shall be less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) per month, subject to existing 
laws, rules and regulations; 
 
c. Subsistence Allowance. – All accredited BHWs who render service within the premises 
of isolated barangay health stations shall be entitled to subsistence allowance equivalent 
to the meals they take in the course of their duty, which shall be computed in accordance 
with prevailing circumstances as determined by the LGU concerned, such allowance 
shall, in no case, be less than One Hundred Pesos (P100.00) per day; 
 
d. Transportation Allowance. – All accredited BHWs, in the performance of their official 
duties, shall be entitled to a transportation allowance of not less than One Thousand 
Pesos (1,000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules and regulations; 
 
e. One-time Retirement Cash Incentive – All accredited BHW who has continuously and 
satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years shall be entitled to a one-time 
retirement cash incentive of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) in 
recognition of their loyal and dedication, which shall be borne by the municipality or 
city concerned. The provincial government may provide assistance for this purpose, in 
the case of component cities; 
 
f. Training, Education, and Career Enrichment Programs. – The DOH shall, in 
coordination with the Department of Education (DepED), Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 
DOH-registered academic institutions, other concerned agencies, and non-government 
organizations, provide information on and opportunities for education and career 
enrichment for accredited BHWs, such as in the following programs: 
 


 
 
1. Educational programs which credit the years of primary healthcare service 
of the BHW towards higher education completion in institutions with 
stepladder curricula thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and 
knowledge for community work or to pursue further training as midwives, 
pharmacists, nurses, or doctors; 
 
2. Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field immersion, 
and scholarships, among others; 
 
3. Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in State colleges, are to be 
granted to one (1) child of every barangay health worker who will not be 
able to take advantage of the programs described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3) 
hereof; and 
 
4. Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster 
preparedness, and other programs that address the emergent community of 
health problems and issues; 
 
g. Health Benefits. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to the following health benefits 
during their incumbency: 
 
1. Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses medicines, x-
ray, and other laboratory fees, when confirmed in any public hospital or 
health institution; 
 
2. Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Five Thousand Pesos 
(PP5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of the barangay concerned, for 
expenses incurred in the nearest private hospital or clinic in case of extreme 
emergency where there is no available public hospital; 
 
3. Mandatory and immediate membership in PhilHealth as indirect 
contributors. 
 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to accredited 
BHWs not otherwise provided by law; 
 
h. Insurance Coverage.- Accredited BHWS shall be granted insurance coverage and 
benefits by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne by 
the LGU concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefits 
package suited to the needs and unique circumstances of the BHWs; 
 
i. Sick, Vacation, and Maternity Leave. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to sick, 
vacation and maternity leaves as may be prescribed in the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act: Provided, That the BHWs shall continue to receive their 
monthly honoraria while on leave, for such period in accordance with existing laws and 
practices. 
 
j. Cash Gift.- All accredited BHWs are entitled to a cash gift not less than the minimum 
monthly honoraria to be given every December from the general fund of the barangay 
pr from such other funds appropriated by the national government for the purpose; 


 
 
 
k. Disability Benefit.- All accredited BHWs who sustains an injury or falls ill in the course 
of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) 
for every year of service.  
 
l. Free Legal Service. – Legal representation and consultation services shall be 
immediately provided  by the Public Attorney’s Office to a BHW in cases of coercion, 
interference, and in other  civil and criminal cases filed by or against the BHW arising 
out of or in connection with the performance of their duties as such; 
 
m. Preferential Access to Loan Facilities. – The DO, in coordination with other concerned 
government agencies shall provide, within One Hundred Eighty (180) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide organized BHWs access to loan 
services. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one percent (1%) of their 
loanable funds organized BHW groups that have community-based income-generating 
projects in support of health programs or activities. 
 
SECTION 9. Review by the Local Health Board. – Every incentive or benefit for BHWs 
requiring the expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and approved by the LHB. Such 
benefits and incentives may be increased, upon review of the LHB, after considering, among 
others, the present Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the Philippine Statistics 
Authority (PSA). 
 
SECTION 10. Discrimination Prohibited. – Discrimination against any BHW by reason of 
gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs, and ethnic groups in the exercise of 
their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited. 
 
SECTION 11. Protection of BHWs. – The municipality, city, provincial governments, and the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall establish a grievance 
mechanism as a means of processing complaints of BHW!s against alleged acts of 
discrimination and unjust removal from the service. A BHW may appeal their grievances to the 
DILG. 
 
SECTION 12. Right to Self-Organization. – A BHW shall have the right to freely form, join 
or assist an organization to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted 
activities, in a manner not contrary to law, and with utmost regard to service to patients and the 
continuous operation of barangay health services in the interest of public health, safety or 
survival of patients. 
 
SECTION 13. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health Care Provider 
Network. – The president of the municipality or city association of BHWs shall be a member 
of the municipal or city health board. The presidents of the association of BHWs of each 
component city and municipal associations of a province shall elect from among themselves 
their representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That the BHW representatives to 
the health boards shall not be allowed to vote on the registration, accreditation and disciplinary 
or removal complaints of BHWs. 
 
 
The BHW shall also form part of the healthcare provider network and shall participate 
in the implementation of healthcare services and programs. 
 


 
 
SECTION 14. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. – The DOH shall conduct 
continuous capacity building for BHWs to enhance and upgrade their knowledge and skills, 
including training programs conducted online and in major Philippine dialects. 
 
 
The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies shall also 
assist the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials that highlight the 
collective experiences and learnings of BHWs and the use of traditional and complementary 
medicine. 
 
 
The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their BHWs and 
other health workers in coordination with TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concerned. 
 
 
The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHW that will allow them 
to benefit from ladderized training as provided under Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise 
known as the "PQF Act,” and Republic Act No.10647, otherwise known as the "Ladderized 
Education Act of 2014”, including academic credits for health-related courses. 
 
SECTION 15. Penalty Clause. – Any local government official who violates any provisions 
of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with the law.  
 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the LGUs, other local funds, and 
the special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal 
Health Care Act”. 
 
SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulation. – The DOH and the DILG shall, in 
consultation with the DepED, the CSC, the GSIS, and other concerned government agencies 
and nongovernmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act not 
later than one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared is 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
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 laws, decrees, 
executive orders, rules, and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 20. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,