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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.. 1 64 0

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis the declared policy of the State to enhance and promote the social and economic
status of barangay volunteers and protect their rights and promote their welfare.

Benefits and incentives to volunteers such as Philhealth coverage, free legal services
and trainings and seminars on human rights, disaster response and risk reduction in
recognition of their services can work to strengthen and enhance their skills to become
effective guardians of peace, security and safely.

‘The proposed measure secks to provide allowances to barangay volunteers not lower
than P1,500 per month chargeable to the budget of the barangay, from 80% of its annual
Internal Revenue Allotment and income from other sources, subject to the availability of
funds. It shall cover all members of accredited civilian volunteer organizations and all other
volunteers who perform regular governance of service functions in the barangay.

The bill likewise provides for security of term of office of volunteers following a
Memorandum of Agreement signed by the volunteer, the civilian volunteer organization of
which he is a member and the Barangay Chairperson.

To improve the welfare of our barangay workers, passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

SUSAN
Representative, 2" Didtricyof] Tarlac


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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No.__ 1640

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

AN ACT
PROVIDING BENEFITS TO BARANGAY VOLUNTEER WORKERS

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Volunteer Workers!
Benefits Act".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to enhance
and promote the social and economic status of barangay volunteers. The State shall protect
the rights of barangay volunteers and promote their welfare.

SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all members of accredited civilian volunteer
organizations (CVOs) and all other volunteers who perform regular governance or service functions
in the barangay.

ON 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following shall mean:

(a) Civilian volunteer organization (CVO) shall refer to a body ot brigade composed of
barangay volunteers such as, but not limited to, barangay health workers, barangay nutrition
scholars, barangay tanod, members of the lupong tagapamayapa, and members of community
brigade and community service units duly created at the barangay level to assist the barangay officials
in the effective exercise of law enforcement for the maintenance of peace and order and the
promotion of public safety, security, health, social welfare and the spirit of volunteerism in the
barangay.

(b) Barangay volunteer workers shall refer to individuals who belong to an accredited CVO
committed to rendering their services and resources, whether full-time or part-time, to promote the
public good.

(© Volunteerism shall refer to an act involving traditional forms of mutual aid and
developmental interventions that provides an enabling and empowering environment, both on
the part of the beneficiary receiving and the volunteer rendering the act, undertaken for
reasons arising from socio-developmental commitment or conviction for the attainment of public
good and where monetary and other incentives are not the primary motivating factors.

SECTION 5. Qualifications. - A barangay volunteer must be of legal age, must be a resident of
the barangay where one intends to volunteer and must be of good moral character, A barangay
volunteer may continue to serve the community for as long as one wishes to, and able to
maintain these qualifications, and if such performance as a volunteer is considered
commendable by barangay officials.

SECTION 6. Duties and Obligations of a Barangay Volunteer. - The barangay volunteer
worker shall:

(@) Make available time, knowledge and skills to the barangay and report for work as agreed
with barangay officials;

(b) Maintain and promote peace, public safety, s
volunteerism in the barangay;

urity, health, social welfare and the spirit of



(© Discharge duty humanely with conscience and dignity, and with utmost respect for life,
gender and religion; and

(@ Submit a written resignation when one wishes to resign at least fifteen (15) days prior to
effectivity thereof.

SECTION 7. Statutory Fund Allocation for the Allowance of Barangay Volunteers. - The
barangay shall provide allowances to barangay volunteers, which may not éxeced the minimum salary
rate for Salary Grade 1: Provided, That no volunteer shall receive an allowance lower than One
thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) per month.

Said allowances shall be charged to the administrative budget of the barangay, which
comprise eighty percent (80%) of its annual internal revenue allotment, and income from other
sources: Provided, further, That these shall not be covered by the fifty-five percent (55%) cap on
Personal Services: Provided, finally, That the payment of said allowances shall be subject to the
availability of funds and pertinent budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 8. Security of Term. - A barangay volunteer shall be asked to sign a
memorandum of agreement (MOA) defining the period of service, reckoned from the date of the
volunteer's assignment. This MOA may be renewed upon the agreement of the volunteer, the
CVO and the barangay chairperson.

SECTION 9. Additional Benefits. - In recognition of their services, barangay volunteers shall be
provided the following benefits and incentives:

(a) Phillealth coverage which shall include medical examination and treatment in
government hospitals and fully subsidized by the local government units (LGUs) or through cost
sharing mechanisms between LGUs and other sponsors: Provided That indigent barangay
volunteers shall be covered through full national government subsidy scheme;

(b) Free legal services from government lawyers or private lawyers pursuant to Republic Act
No. 9999 and Bar Matter No. 2012 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; and

(©) Trainings and seminars on human rights, disaster response and risk reduction and others,
deemed necessary by the city or municipality where the barangay volunteers render service

TION 10. Review by the Sangguniang Barangay. - Every incentive or benefit for barangay
volunteers requiting expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and approved by the sangguniang
barangay.

SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ‘The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) - National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO), in consultation with the
National Liga ng mga Barangay and CVOs, shall issue the rules and regulations to implement this Act
within ninety (90) days after its approval.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - 1f any provision of this Act is declared
‘unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders and issuances ot portion thereof,
as well as rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effctnity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,