Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Art. II, Sec. 15 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them.”  
According to Republic Act 7883, Sec. 3, a barangay health worker is “A person 
who has undergone training programs under any accredited government and 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 by the guidelines promulgated by the DOH.” 
With funding limitations, barangay health stations struggle with a lack of medicines 
supplies, long wait times, declines in the quality of facility infrastructure, and lack 
of proper training and staffing. 
This bill aims to solve the problems that our BHWs have been facing. This is our 
act of gratitude because they have been on the frontlines at the time of the 
pandemic. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common 
good of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City
October 21, 2022
8:02 am
5656


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
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." 
Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
a just and dynamic social order that will ensure prosperity and independence of the 
nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social 
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality 
of life for all. The State recognizes that quality healthcare services promote social 
justice in all phases of national development. 
It is likewise the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health 
of the people and to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development. Primary Health Care is recognized as a major strategy towards health 
5656


2 
 
 
empowerment, emphasizing the need to provide accessible, available, and affordable 
quality health services at the grassroots level. 
Pursuant thereto, the government and all its instrumentalities recognize the 
economic and social rights of barangay health workers to security of tenure and just 
compensation, consistent with the principle of equal pay for equal work and work of 
equal value. 
 
Sec. 3. Definition of terms. — As used in this Act, the term Barangay Health 
Worker (BHW) 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 by the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health 
(DOH). The accredited BHW shall be given a copy of the proof of said accreditation. 
A BHW shall be considered as a public health worker as defined under Republic Act 
No. 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers for purposes of receiving any 
special risk allowance granted to health workers for the COVID-19 pandemic, and any 
other pandemic that may occur hereafter. 
 
Sec. 4. Registration. — 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. 
The municipal and city health offices 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 Health Office which shall 
consolidate all registries. Upon the validation of 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. 
To qualify for registration, a BHW must: 
(a) Have rendered basic community healthcare services continuously and satisfactorily 
for at 'least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the filing of an application 
for registration in the barangay as certified by the Rural Health Midwife (RHM) or 


3 
 
 
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 nongovernmental 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 physically and mentally fit. 
 
Sec. 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 may apply for accreditation to the municipal or city health board. The municipal 
or city health board shall issue the certificate of accreditation to 
qualified BHWs. To qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must: 
(a) Be registered by Section 4 hereof; 
(b) Have completed in the locality at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory 
service immediately before the filing of an application for accreditation; 
(c) Have completed a regular training program on healthcare services and community-
based health programs 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. This includes providing information on the 
availability of regular training programs for accreditation. 
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. 
 
Sec. 6. Number and Role of Barangay Health Workers. — The DOH, in consultation 
with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall determine the ideal 
ratio of BGWs to the number of households per barangay: Provided, That the total 
number of BHWs nationwide shall not be less than one (1%) of the total population. As 
far as practicable, the BHW to be employed must be a resident of the barangay. 
As one of the key partners in a reformed healthcare delivery system, the 


4 
 
 
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 7 for the early 
detection of congenital metabolic disorders which may lead 8 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 community of appropriate 
action, if necessary; 
(d) Coordinator - to facilitate access to any group or association of the community with 
a relevant network of specific health and non-health 
service providers; 
(e) Record Keeper - To maintain updated records of health data, health 
activities and events in the community; and 
(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. 
 
Sec. 7. Barangay Health Workers in The Botika sa Barangay. — When available 
and offered in the community, BHWs shall man and operate "Botika sa Barangay" 
service by the relevant issuances of DOH. They shall be given appropriate training by 
the DOH and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in consultation with relevant 
professional organizations and associations. 
 
Sec. 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 adjustment based on the  prevailing 
market value, in addition to the following incentives and benefits: 


5 
 
 
(a) Privileges for the B IWs. — All accredited BK  
shall be entitled to a twenty 
percent (20%) discount on all the 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 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 (Php 1,000.00) 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 by prevailing circumstances as & termed 
by the [GU concerned. such allowance shall, in no case, be less than One hundred 
pesos (Php 100.00) per day; 
(d) Transportation allowance. — All accredited BHWs, in the performance of 
their official duties, shall be entitled to a transportation allowance of not 25 less than 
One thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules and 
regulations; 
(e) One-time retirement cash incentive. — An 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 (Php 
10,000) in recognition of their loyalty and dedication, which shall be borne by the 
municipality or city concerned. The provincial 
government may assist 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-recognized academic institutions, other concerned agencies, and 


6 
 
 
nongovernment 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, to be 
granted to one (1) child of every barangay health worker who will not 19 be able to 
take advantage of the programs described in paragraphs 
(1), (2), and (3) hereof; and 
(4) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster preparedness, and 
other programs that address emergent community 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 confined in any public hospital  or health institution; 
(2) Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Five thousand pesos 
(P5,000.00) 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; 
(4) Disability or burial assistance in case of disability or death. 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
accredited BHWs not otherwise provided by law; 
 
(h) 
Insurance Cove age. — Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance 


7 
 
 
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; 
Sick, Vacation, and Maternity Leaves. — 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 by existing 
laws and Practices. 
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 or from such other funds appropriated 
by the national government for the purpose; 
 
(k) Disability benefit. — An accredited BHW 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) Civil service eligibility. — A first-grade eligibility shall be granted to accredited 
BHWs who have rendered three (3) years of continuous service as such: Provided, 
That should a BHW become a regular employee of the government, the total number 
of years served as such shall be credited to the BHW's service in the computation of 
retirement benefits. 
 
(m) Security of tenure. — No person duly registered or accredited as a BHW 
shall be removed except for a valid cause to be determined by the Local 
Health Board (LHB): Provided, That if found to be unjustly removed from service, a 
BHW shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of benefits and incentives from the 
time of termination up to the time of his reinstatement. The LHB shall resolve 
termination cases against a BHW judiciously not later than ninety (90) days from the 
receipt of a complaint;  
 
(n) 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, 


8 
 
 
interference, and civil and criminal cases filed by or against the BHW arising out of or 
in connection with the performance of their duties as such; 
(o) Preferential access to loan facilities. — The DOH 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 shall set aside (1%) of their 
loanable funds for organized BHW groups that have community-based income-
generating projects in support of health programs or activities. 
 
Sec. 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 in 
consideration of, among others, the present Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published 
by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 
 
Sec. 10. Discrimination;7 Prohibited. — Discrimination against any BHW because of 
gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs, and ethnic groupings in the 
exercise of their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.  
 
Sec. 11. Right to Self-Organization. — A BHW shall have the right to freely 
form, join, or assist organizations 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, and survival of patients. 
 
Sec. 12. Representation in the Local Health and Primary Health Care Provider 
Network. — The president of the municipal or city association of BHWs shall 
be a member of the municipal or city local health board. The presidents of the 
association of BHWs of each component city and municipality association 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 BHWs shall also form part of the healthcare provider network and shall 
participate in the implementation of healthcare services and programs. 
 


9 
 
 
 Sec. 13. 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, 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 training centers for BHWs and other 
health workers in coordination with TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concerned. 
18 The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs 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 
 
Sec. 14. 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". 
 
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOH and the DILG shall, 
in consultation with DepEd, CSC, GSIS, and other concerned government agencies, 
NGOs, and stakeholders promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act 
not later than one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Sec. 16 Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 7883. Otherwise known as the 
"Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 is hereby repealed. All 
other laws, decrees, orders, circulars, issuances, rules, and regulations which are 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.  
 


10 
 
 
 Sec. 18. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or any two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,