Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Local Government Code of 1991 recognizes the important role of the barangay as it 
states that: “As the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and 
implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the 
community, as a forum wherein the collective views of people may be expressed, 
crystalized, and considered and where disputes may be amicably settled.” 
The barangay is the basic unit of government, the closest to its constituents and the first 
line of government service people turn to. Empowering it is the key to ensuring that 
government policies are properly implemented. It is through the barangay that development 
programs can be delivered and effectively reach each and every Filipino. 
Strengthening barangay governance through the empowerment of its barangay tanods and 
barangay health workers is a vital key that would not only help in effectively delivering 
quality service to every individual, but would also encourage active people participation in 
governance. 
Thus, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI 
Representative 
Third District, Bukidnon  
October 28, 2021
9:19 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY UNIT THROUGH SUPPORT FOR BARANGAY 
OFFICIALS AND BARANGAY VOLUNTEER WORKERS, AMENDING 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: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Support for Barangay Workers Act.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the 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.  
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
b)
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.
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 pesos (Php 500) from the DOH
b)
At least twenty (20) tanods in each barangay, shall receive a monthly honorarium of not
less than Five Hundred pesos (Php 500) from the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG).
The barangays may choose to give an 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.
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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. 
 
c) 
Free legal services from government lawyers of the Public Attorney’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. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DILG, in consultation with the National Liga 
ng mga Barangay and DOH, shall issue the rules and regulations to implement this Act within 
ninety (90) days after its approval. 
 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or 
contrary to this Act are hereby deemed accordingly repealed or amended. 
 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
 
Approved,