REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. _8030

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Barangay, according to the Local Government Code, serves as the primary planning and
implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the
community and serves as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed,
harmonized, and given due course as well as to amicably settle contending claims in the
community. The powers given to Barangays by the Local Government Code of 1991 elevated the
barangay from merely a territorial or symbolic identification of a specific geographic location to
a unit that has active participation in the political and economic activities of the country.

The barangay is given considerable autonomy to manage their own affairs and to raise revenues
and use these resources to improve the welfare of its constituents. In order for the barangays to
effectively fulfill their mandates and functions, it is necessary that barangays maintain necessary
competencies in the provision of basic services.

Necessary for the efficient delivery of basic services in the barangay, and improve the
community’s participation in national development, is to strengthen and improve the capacities
of our barangay personnel. Hence, this measure aims to strengthen barangay governance by
providing barangay tanods and barangay health workers the necessary training and benefits to
help them accomplish their roles in the barangay.

It is hoped that thru this measure, barangays may efficiently deliver basic services in their
community and effect an improved status in the welfare of their constituents as well as to
promote active participation of its citizens.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8030

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY UNIT THROUGH SUPPORT FOR BARANGAY
OFFICIALS AND BARANGAY VOLUNTEER WORKERS, AMEDNING REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7160 PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SEC. 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as “Support for Barangay Workers Act.”

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy.- \t is hereby declared policy of the State to empower and
strengthen our Barangay Officials and Barangay Volunteer Workers in order to sufficiently
provide front line government services to the Filipino people in the barangay level. The State
acknowledges the need to provide for the financial burden of rendering service and the need to
properly compensate and capacitate Barangay Officials and Volunteers. Furthermore, the State
recognizes the need to ensure continuity of programs, projects and services of each barangay in
order to effectively benefit our people.

SEC.3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) Barangay Health Worker (BHW) ~ a person who has undergone training programs
under any accredited government or non-government 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); and

Barangay Tanod — all duly appointed members of the barangay tanod brigades, which
shall not be more than twenty (20) in each barangay as prescribed by Republic Act
No. 7160. Otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

1)

SEC.4. Honorarium of BHWs and Barangay Tanods. — In order to ease the financial
burden on our barangay officials and volunteers, the following benefits shall be given by the
National Government for services rendered by the following Barangay Workers:

a) One (1) BHW in each Barangay shall receive a monthly honorarium of not less than
Five Hundred (500) pesos from the DOH.

b) At least twenty (20) Tanods, in each barangay, shall receive a monthly honorarium of
not less than Five Hundred (500) pesos from the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG).

‘The Barangays may choose to give additional honorarium to the aforementioned
volunteers. Provided, that such additional honorarium shall be charged against the local budgets
of each barangay. Provided further, that Barangays shall ensure that all BHWs receive the same
honorarium.


SEC.5. Capacity Building for Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers. In addition
to financial benefits, the National Government shall provide the following to Barangay Officials
and Volunteer Workers:

a) Training and workshops on how to effectively exercise their duty provided by the
DILG for Tanods and DOH for BHWs, and any other such training fit for Barangay
Officials and Volunteer Workers.

b) Philhealth coverage for BHWs, which shall include medical examination and
treatment in government hospitals, and fully subsidized by the National Government
through the DOH. Provided, that indigent barangay volunteers shall be covered
through the full national government subsidy scheme.

©) Free legal services from government lawyers or the Public Attomey’s Office for cases
arising from acts committed in the performance of duty. Provided, that such legal
services shall continue, even after the expiration of the term of the Barangay
volunteer, until its final disposition.

SEC. 6. Continuity of Barangay Services.- In order to ensure the continuity of Barangay
Services, the term of office of all elected barangay officials after the effectivity of this Act shall
be five (5) years.

No barangay elective official shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms in the
same position.

The power of the DILG regarding suspension, removal, recall, and other disciplinary
actions against offending Barangay Official, as prescribed by Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise
known as the Local Government Code of 1991, shall be in full force and effect under this Act.

SEC.7. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DILG in consultation with the
National Liga ng mga Barangay, DOH, and the Commission on Elections, shall issue the rules
and regulations to implement this Act within ninety (90) days after approval.

SEC.8. Separability Clause.- If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, and other issuances or parts
thereof, as well as rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,