EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2151
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E-FILED
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by:
bills VaJi NOE X,
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS, INCENTIVES, ALLOWANCES AND OTHER 
ENTITLEMENTS FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The global pandemic brought about by COVID-19 has been a continuing 
challenge to our health care system. Our experience since last year has shown the 
importance of having a good primary health care system - one that is accesible, 
efficient, effective and capable of responding to the health care needs of the people 
right in the community especially during emergencies.
When the highly transmissible virus hit home, many people were caught 
offguard and at a lost on what to do and where to go. And, as the virus continues to 
infect our households and communities, one person or one family at a time, fear and
confusion was amplifed in the struggle of many Filipinos to survive the health and
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economic crisis.
Our barangays being the basic units of government nearest to the people 
were once again tasked to provide the first response. The Barangay Health 
Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) which were born out of a dire necessity to 
combat the SARS outbreak in 2003 were activated and strengthened to help people 
navigate the public health care system. The BHERTs, majority of which consist of


Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) have been continuously serving as the first line 
responders in our communities to help manage all COVID-19 related healthcare 
concerns. Our tireless BHWs also take care of disseminating health protocol 
guidelines and updates to their assigned households while at the same time 
monitoring Infected patients, including those locally stranded individuals and 
returning residents who are in mandatory quarantine. In many cases, they also act 
as contact tracers. These responsibilities make them vulnerable to infection as they 
are exposed to the virus while doing their work everyday.
In addition to the pandemic-related tasks, our BHWs are also providing public 
health services like first aid intervention in barangay health stations and assistance 
in Immunization of infants, children and senior citizens. At the same time, they act 
as on-call first responders to health emergencies in the barangay.
And yet, despite the immense task imposed on them, our BHWs are still 
considered voluntary workers and they rank the lowest, among all civil servants, in 
terms of incentives, benefits, and privileges enjoyed and received.
This bill is filed in recognition of the invaluable contribution of our BHWs in 
the delivery of much needed health care services at the grassroots. It mandates the 
provision of a menu of incentives, benefits and allowances as well as non-monetary 
compensation currently provided to our BHWs under existing laws.
Moreover, the bill provides additional benefits to BHWs such as death and 
burial benefits, emergency assistance, loyalty award, and legal indemnification, 
among others. It also directs a mandatory review of the BHWs' benefits. Incentives 
and allowances every three years to take into account inflation.
To finance these benefits, the necessary funding shall be sourced from the 
additional proceeds arising from the share of local government units in the national 
taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs in accordance with the decision of the


Supreme Court in Mandanas vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 199802 dated July 3, 
2018.
These interventions are proposed with the intention of honoring our BHWs for 
all the valuable services they render to the community. These will build a strong 
foundation for a good primary health care system in the country by maintaining a 
motivated and competent corps of BHWs in every barangay. These are our 
meaningful contribution in taking care of those who ensure the health and well­
being of Filipinos whether in normal conditions or in times of crisis.
In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
/mksbc


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 2151
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
received''^
E-FILED
UJ OATE:.Mav32021
11:59 am
tw.ie:
SILLS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS, INCENTIVES, ALLOWANCES AND OTHER 
ENTITLEMENTS FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Health Workers
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Benefits Act"
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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protect and promote the right to health of the people and to provide conditions for
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health empowerment, where each individual has access to information and services
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that will bring about heaith and well-being. The Primary Heaith Care approach which
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is embodied in the Universal Health Care Act is recognized as the major strategy
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towards health empowerment by providing accessible and acceptable health services
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at the grassroots level. In line with this policy and in cognizance of the crucial role
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of Barangay Health Workers as front liners in primary health care, the State shall
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ensure the promotion of their rights and welfare and the faithful performance of
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their duties and functions, through the recognition of their rights as civil servants
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and the provision of remuneration, benefits, allowances and other entitlements
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commensurate to the service they render to the country.
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Sec. 3. "Barangay Health Worker (BHW)". - A BHW shall refer to a person
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who has undergone training programs under any accredited government and non-
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government organization and who voluntarily renders primary health care services in
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the community after having been accredited to function as such by the local health


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board in accordance with the guideiines promuigated by the Department of Heaith
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(DOH). The accredited BHW shall be given a copy of the proof of said accreditation.
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Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to aii BHWs as defined in Section 3 of
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this Act: Provided, That when the BHW receives a fixed salary by virtue of a
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permanent appointment in any other government office, by election to another
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public office or by employment in the private sector, their coverage under this Act
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shall automatically cease and they shall then be covered under other appropriate
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laws.
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Sec. 5. Registry. - The local health boards shall maintain and update a
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registry of accredited BHWs in their respective local government units (LGUs) and
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shall submit an updated copy to the DOH every year. The DOH shall maintain a
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national registry of BHWs which shall serve as the reference of the national
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government in crafting health policies and in implementing health care programs.
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The registry shall be the basis for the release of appropriations for the payment of
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honoraria and the remittance of mandatory contributions to GSIS, PhilHealth and
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PagIBIG Fund as provided in Section 7 of this Act.
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Sec. 6. Number of BHWs. -The DOH, in consultation with the Department of
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the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall determine the ideal ratio of BHWs to
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the number of households per barangay: Provided, That the total number of BHWs
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nationwide shall not be less than one percent (1%) of the total population.
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Sec. 7. Incentives, Benefits and Aiiowances. - BHWs shall be entitled to the
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following:
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a. Honoraria- BHWs shall receive a monthly honoraria of not less than Three
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thousand pesos (P3,000.00);
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b. Membership in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) - The
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GSIS shall establish a social insurance program to provide life insurance
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and social protection to BHWs. It shall be mandatory for barangay
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governments to pay the monthly contributions to life insurance,
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retirement, and social protection coverage of their respective BHWs.
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Barangay governments shall include in its annual appropriations the
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amounts necessary for its share of contributions;


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c. Enrolment in the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine 
Health Insurance Corporation -■ BHWs shall be enrolled into the National 
Health Insurance Program in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
regulations.
Barangay governments shall include in its annual appropriations the 
amounts necessary for its share of contributions;
d. Membership in the Home Development Mutual Fund - BHWs shall be 
covered under the mutual provident savings system of the Home 
Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG Fund);
Barangay governments shall include in its annual appropriations the 
amounts necessary for its share of contributions;
e. Hazard Allowance - BHWs who render service in areas declared under 
state of calamity or emergency shall be entitled to a hazard allowance 
equivalent to ten percent (10%) of their monthly honoraria until such 
declaration has been lifted by a competent authority;
f. Subsistence Allowance. - BHWs who render services in barangay health 
stations located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas shall 
be entitled to a daily subsistence allowance amounting to not less than 
One hundred pesos (PIOO.OO);
g. Transportation Allowance - BHWs shall be entitled to a monthly 
transportation allowance amounting to not less than One thousand pesos 
(PI,000.00): Provided, That for official travel such as attendance in 
seminars, conferences and transportation of patients outside of their 
respective barangays, the travel expenses shall be shouldered by the 
Barangay government concerned and shall not be deducted from the 
travel allowance of BHWs: Provided, further. That BHWs shall be entitled 
to ten percent (10%) discount in transportation fare during their 
incumbency;
h. Emergency assistance - BHWs shall be entitled to emergency assistance 
amounting to Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for expenses incurred 
during health emergencies;


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i. 
Sick, vacation and maternity or paternity leave - BHWs shall be entitled to 
sick, vacation and maternity or paternity leaves as may be prescirbed by 
the Barangay governments: Provided, that BHWs shall continue to receive 
their monthly honoraria and other allowances applicable, while on 
authroized leave of absence;
j. 
Christmas bonus or cash gift - BHWs shall receive a Christmas bonus or 
cash gift which shall not be less than their monthly honoraria once a year;
k. Death and Burial Benefits- In the event of the death of BHWs during their 
incumbency, they shall be entitled to death and burial benefits amounting 
to Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000.00) to be paid to their respective 
legal beneficiaries.
In addition to the death benefits herein provided, a burial benefit of Two 
thousand pesos (P2,000.00) shall be paid to the beneficiaries of BHWs 
within twenty-four (24) hours after written notice and satisfactory proof of 
death.
In case the death of a BHW occurred by reason, or on the occasion of the 
performance of official duties and functions, the legal beneficiaries of the 
BHW concerned shail be entitled to twice the death and burial benefits 
provided herein;
l. Loyalty Award - BHWs shall be given a loyalty award for every five (5) 
years of continuous and meritorious service rendered, as recommended 
and certified by the punong barangay concerned or by the local health 
boards. A loyalty incentive which shall not be less than the BHW's monthly 
honoraria along with a Certificate of Appreciation shall be provided to 
qualified BHWs;
m. Training, Education and Career Enrichment Program - BHWs shall be 
prioritized in all relevant training and education opportunities as well as 
career enrichment programs of the DOH, Commission on Higher 
Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 
Department of Education and other government agencies concerned;
n. Civil Service Eligibility - Qualified BHWs shall be conferred with the 
appropriate civil service eligibility in accordance with existing laws, rules


1 
and regulations: Provided, That when a BHW becomes a regular employee
2 
of the government, the total number of years served as a BHW shall be
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included in the computation of retirement benefits;
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0. Legal Indemnification - BHWs shall be entitled to an equitable legal
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indemnification package in the form of legal assistance and other forms of
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legal protection and indemnification for all legal costs and expenses
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reasonably incurred in any administrative, civil, or criminal action, suit or
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proceeding to which they have been made a party by reason of the
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performance of their official functions or duties, unless they are finally
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adjudged in such action or proceeding to be guilty of an offense;
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p. Employment Preference in Agencies and Instrumentalities of Government
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- Qualified BHWs shall be accorded with preferential treatment in
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employment with national government agencies, local government units,
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or government-owned or -controlled corporations, subject to the minimum
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standards and guidelines prescribed by the CSC, and in accordance with
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existing laws, rules and regulations; and
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q. Other benefits, incentives and allowances - Other benefits, incentives and
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allowances not enumerated in this Act may be provided by the LGUs
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subject to availability of funds.
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Sec. 8. Periodic Review. - The local health boards shall conduct a mandatory
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review of all benefits, incentives and allowances enumerated in this Act every three
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(3) years taking into consideration the current Consumer Price Index as published by
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the Philippine Statistics Authority.
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Sec. 9. Security of Tenure. - The services of accredited BHWs shall not be
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co-termlnous with elected barangay officials, except in cases where there is a valid
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cause under existing laws and after due process: Provided, That if a BHW, upon
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appeal. Is found by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to be unjustly dismissed from
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service, the said BHW shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of incentives,
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benefits and allowances from the time of termination up to the time of
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reinstatement: Provided, further. That the CSC shall resolve termination cases
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against BHWs not later than ninety (90) days upon receipt of complaints.


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Sec. 10. Prohibition Against Discrimination. - Discrimination against a BHW
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due to gender, civil status, creed, religion, political affiliation and beliefs or ethnic
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groupings is prohibited.
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Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
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the provisions of this Act shall be sourced from the share of LGUs from the national
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taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) based on the collection of the third
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fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year: Provided, That in the event that such
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amount is insufficient to effectively Implement the provisions of this Act or when the
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amount exceeds the limitations on Personnel Services as provided in Section 331(b)
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of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the xsLocai Government
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Code of 1991", the Sangguniang Barangay concerned shall formulate a mechanism
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to prioritize and adjust the benefits, incentives and allowances provided under this
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Act.
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Sec. 12. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The Department of Budget
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and Management (DBM) and the DILG, in coordination with the DOH, CSC, Liga ng
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mga Barangay, and other government agencies concerned, shall promulgate the
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necessary Implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) days upon the
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effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 13. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision, section or part of this Act shall
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be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or
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Impair any other provisions, sections or parts hereof.
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Sec. 14. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,
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issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and
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inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 15. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Officiai
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Gazette.
Approved,