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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4170

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to undertake the development of
manpower for health services and research that are responsive to the needs of the nation. Guided by
the aforementioned principle, Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991,
devolved the delivery of basic health services to local government units (LGUs). This underscores the
fact that community-based health care is effective at the grassroots level in addressing basic health
needs, where Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) serve as frontliners in safeguarding people’s
health.

Despite their indispensable role, many BHWs continue to work without security of tenure, fair
compensation, or access to continuous training and capacity building. This lack of institutional support
undermines not only their welfare but also the quality of primary health care services in marginalized
and underserved communities that rely heavily on the services provided by the BHWs.

‘The proposed legislative measure seeks to establish a Magna Carta for Barangay Health
Workers. It institutionalizes the necessary protections on their rights, and ensures their professional
growth and well-being. It sets a clear system for registration and accreditation, and provides structured
training programs to strengthen their ability to respond to evolving public health challenges.

Barangay Health Workers are the unsung frontliners of the nation’s health system, trusted
community guides in preventive health, first responders in times of crisis, and vital partners in building
resilient and healthy communities. Like teachers, nurses, and social workers, they deserve full
recognition and protection under the law. By uplifting their welfare and institutionalizing theie role,
this Magna Carta ensures that the backbone of our primary health care system remains strong,
supported, and sustainable.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is carnestly sought.

REP. Sato R. RAMA, JR.

2n! District, City of Cebu


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _4170_

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of Barangay Health
Workers.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development, and pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to make essential goods, healthcare and
other social services available to all the people. In line with the country’s commitment to accomplish
health indicator targets under United Nations sustainable development goals, the State shall adopt
policies that promote the welfare and well-being of barangay health workers who are at the forefront
of the delivery of health care at the grassroots level and effectively harness their potential as partners
in development.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term “barangay health worker”
refers to a person who has undergone training under any accredited government or non-government
organization (NGO), and who voluntarily renders primary healthcare services in the community after
having been accredited to function as such by the local health board.

SECTION 4. Coverage. — This Act shall apply to all barangay health workers (BHWs) as
defined under Section 3 of this Act: Provided, That all incentives and benefits granted under this Act
shall extend only to duly accredited BHWs, who have undergone at least two (2) years of training:
Provided, however, That duly registered barangay health workers shall be entitled to a monthly honoraria
and hazard allowance as provided in Sec. 9 herein: Provided, further, That when the BHW receives a fixed
salary under a permanent appointment in any government office, by clection to another public office


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or by employment in the private sector, coverage under this Act shall automatically cease and the BHW
shall be covered under applicable laws.

SECTION 5. Registration. — All BHWs shall be registered with the local health board in the
city or municipality in which they render service. Registered BHWs shall be given appropriate proof
of said registration,

‘The municipal and city health offices shall regularly update and maintain the BHW Registry
with the assistance of the BHW Federation. The BHW Registry shall be subject to the approval of the
municipal or city health board. The local health offices shall submit a copy of the updated and duly
approved registry to the Provincial Health Office for consolidation and validation with the assistance
of the Provincial BHW Federation, which shall also be subject to the approval of the Provincial Health
Board.

‘The Provincial BHW Registry shall be posted in the municipal or city bulletin board and
barangay health centers. ‘The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of
every year to the Department of Health (DOH) at the regional and national levels for consolidation.
‘The DOH is hereby mandated to maintain a national registry of BH’.

In order to qualify for registration, a Barangay Health Worker must:

(@) Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and satisfactorily for at
least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the filing of application for
registration in the barangay as recommended by the Rural Health Midwife (RIIM) or
public health nurse assigned to the barangay and by the head of the barangay health
workers association and certified by the Sangguniang Barangay;

(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 (NGO);

(©) 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.

It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation with the Provincial
Health Office and the DOH, to provide BHW applicants basic orientation and training within six (6)
months from the date of approval of their application.

SECTION 6. 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 must be
accredited by the municipal or city health board.

‘The municipal or city health board shall issue a certificate of accreditation to qualified BHWs.
In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must:

(a) Be registered in accordance with Section 5 hereof,


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(b) Have satisfactorily undertaken the role of a BHW in the locality as provided for in Section
T hereof, for at east two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory service immediately prior
to the filing of application for accreditation;

(©) Have completed a regular training program on health care service and community-based
health program in order to upgrade and develop the skills and competency required of a
BHIW. The training program shall be institutionalized by the DOH, in cooperation with
local government units (LGUs).

It shall be the duty of the municipal or city government, as the case may be, in cooperation
with the provincial government and DOH, to provide the applicant BIIWs the necessary support and
‘opportunities for accreditation.

A BHW must complete the regular training program on health care service and community-
based health program within five (5) years from registration.

‘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 BHW that is accessible to the
general public.

SECTION 7. Roles, and Duties and Responsibilities of Barangay Health Workers. \s one
of the key partners in a reformed health care delivery system, the DOH and LGUs shall support BHWs
as they perform the following roles:

(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 for the early detection of congenital
metabolic disorders which may leads to mental retardation and even death, among others;

(©) 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 to the community for appropriate action, if necessary;

(@ Linker - to facilitate access to any group of association of the community with a relevant
network of or specific health and non-health service providers;

(©) Record Keeper - to maintain updated records of health data, health activities and events
in the community;


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(f) Health Care Service Provider ~ to assist and provide basic health care services as may be
needed in the community in any health event.

‘The BHW shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) Height and weight monitoring, and reporting the same to the barangay;

(b) Monitoring and following up of defaulted cases of immunization, family planning,
tuberculosis compliance to treatment and others, and reporting the same to the barangay;

(©) Reporting to the barangay any incidence of disease or any health cases in the community;

(@) Communicating and coordinating with the community to participate in barangay health
center activities;

(©) Gathering of data about overall status of health of the community;
() Administering first aid;

(® Conducting health visits;

(b) Conducting birth planning for pregnant women;
(Conducting health education;

(i) Strengthening referral systems;

(&) Collecting sputum;

() Identifying people with disease and sickness;

(m) Community health profiling;

(n) Psychosocial debriefing for stress and post-calamity initiatives;
(0) Responding in natural calamities and disasters; and

(p) Coordinating closely with the local government health officer in the implementation
of health programs in the locality.

SECTION 8. Number of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). ~Subject to relevant laws,
and in coordination with relevant government agencies and respective local government units, the
number of BHWs in every barangay shall be guided by and based on the particular need of the barangay
for BHW services.

‘The DOH shall determine the ideal ratio of barangay health workers to the number of
households: Provided, that the total number of barangay health workers nationwide shall not be less
than one percent (1%) of the total population.



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‘The residents of the barangay must be given preference in the employment of BHWs.

SECTION 9. Incentives and Benefits. — All accredited BHW’s who are actively and regularly
performing their duties and responsibilities shall be entitled to the following incentives and benefits

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Monthly Honoraria in the amount of not less than Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00), subject
to adjustment based on the prevailing market value;

Hagard Allowance in an amount to be determined by the local health board of LGU
concerned, which in no case shall be less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month,
subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations;

Subsistence Allowance equivalent to the meals they take in the course of their duty, which
shall be computed in accordance with prevailing conditions as determined by the LGU
concerned, which in no case shall be less than One hundred pesos (P100.00) per day:
Provided, That the accredited BHW shall render service within the premises of isolated
barangay health stations in order to make it available at any and all times;

Transportation Allowance of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month,
subject to auditing rules and regulations, on the condition that the availment of
transportation services are in line with the performance of the BHW’s official duties and
responsibilities;

One-time Gratuity Cash Incentive of not less than ‘Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00)in
recognition of the BHW?’s loyalty and dedication and for having continuously and
satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years;

Discount Privileges for BHWs, — All BHWs shall be entitled to 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 as may be granted by the
commercial establishment and/or other existing laws.

‘The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this section as tax
deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: Proided, That the discount
shall be allowed as 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 VAT, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipt for tax purposes and
shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

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 non-government organizations,
provide information on and opportunities for education and career enrichment for
accredited BHWs, such as the following:



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1) Educational programs which credit the years of primary health care 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, aurses
or doctors;

2) Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field immersion,
scholarships; and

3) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster preparedness and
other programs that address emergent community health problems and issues.

Health Benefits. ~ During their incumbency, all BHWs are catitled to the following health

benefits:

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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 the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (Philhealth) as indirect contributors.

Insurance Coverage Sil BHWs shall be granted insurance coverage and benefits from the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne by the LGU
concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit package suited to
the needs and status of BHWs;

Sick and Maternity Leaves. — All BHWs shall be entitled to sick and maternity leaves as
prescribed by the Local Health Board: Provided, That, the BHWs shall continue to receive
their monthly honoraria while on leave, for such period in accordance with existing laws
and practices;

Cash Gift ~ Al accredited BHWs are entitled to cash gift of 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;

Disability Benefit~ An accredited BHW who sustains injury or sickness in the course of the
performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) for every
year of service;

(m) Civil Service Eligibility. ~ \ second grade eligibility shall be granted to accredited BHWs

who have rendered five (5) years continuous service as such: Provided, That, should a BHW
become a regular employee of the government, the total numbers of years served as such
shall be credited to the BHWs service in computing the retirement benefits;


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(0) Free Legal Services. - Legal representation and consultation services shall be immediately
provided by the Public Attorney’s Office to an accredited BHW in cases of coercion,
interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against BHWs arising out of
or in connection with the performance of their duties as such;

(©) Preferential Access to Loan, -'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 BHWs organized access to loan services. The agencies
providing loan services will set aside one percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized
BHW groups that have community-based income generating projects in support of health
programs or activities.

Notwithstanding the limitations under this section, all registered BHWs shall be entitled to
monthly honoraria and hazard allowance.

‘The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to BHWs not
otherwise provided by law.

SECTION 10. Annual Review. -The local health boards shall conduct an annual review of
the BHW program, performance, as well as the benefits, incentives and allowances enumerated in the
immediately preceding Section taking into consideration the current consumer price index as published
by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

SECTION 11. Discrimination Prohibited-Discrimination against any BHW by reason of
gender, civil status, creed, religious, or political beliefs and ethnic groupings in the exercise of their
functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.

SECTION 12. Protection of BHWs.- No accredited BHW shall be removed except for a
valid cause as determined by the Local Health Board (LHB). The LHB shall resolve termination cases
against BHWs judiciously and not later than ninety (90) days from the receipt of a complaint: Provided,
‘That if a BHW is found to be unjustly removed from service, the BHW shall be entitled to
reinstatement without loss of benefits and incentives from the time of termination up to the time of
reinstatement

SECTION 13. Grievance Mechanism. ‘The LHB shall establish a grievance mechanism as
a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged acts of discrimination and unjust removal
from the service. The decisions rendered by the LHB shall be final and executory.

SECTION 14. Municipal, City, Provincial, and National Federation of BHWs.- There
shall be an organization of accredited BHWs for the purpose of electing the municipal, city, provincial,
and national-level federation in order to ventilate, articulate, and crystalize issues affecting health care
delivery system and with utmost regard to service to patients and the continuous operation of barangay
health services in the interest of public health, safety, or survival of patients.

‘The BHW federation for municipalities, cities, and provinces shall elect their respective local
federation boards of directors, and a set of national officers to comprise the national board of directors
to be headed by a president. A Secretary-General shall be chosen from among the national federation
members to manage the day-to-day operation and activities of the federation. The respective boards
of directors may create such other positions as may be necessary for the management of the affairs of
the local and national federation.

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SECTION 15. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health Care
Provider Network. - The President of the municipal or city federation of BHWs shall be a member
of the municipal or city local health board. The respectivepresidents of the federation of BIIWs of
cach city and municipality federation of a province shall elect from among themselves their
representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That the BHW representatives to the local health
boards shall not be allowed to vote on the registration, accreditation, and disciplinary or removal
complaints of BHWs.

‘The BHWs shall also be part of the health care provider network, in the implementation of
health care services and programs

SECTION 16. Prohibition from Engaging in Partisan Political Activity.- No BHW shall
engage in any partisan political activity.

SECTION 17. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs- The DOH shall conduct
continuous capacity building for BHWs that will enhance and upgrade their knowledge and skills
through various forms including online learning and multimedia 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 to promote the collective experiences and
learnings of BHWs as well as to promote traditional and complementary medicine.

‘The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their BHWs and other
health workers in coordination with the TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concerned.

‘The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs that will allow them to
benefit from the ladderized training as provided under Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise known as
the Philippine Qualification Framework Act, and Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise known as the
Ladderized Education Act of 2014, including academic credits for health-related courses.

SECTION 18. Observance of BHW Day.- Every barangay shall commemorate BHW Day
during April 7 of every year in recognition of the service of Barangay Health Workers, their heroic
services in times of crises, and their indispensable role in promoting health and wellness among the

citizenry.

The DOH, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) and all local government units shall hold simple ceremonies or activities to highlight the
indispensable role of BHWs in nation-building

SECTION 19. Penalty Clause.- Any local government official who violates any provision
of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with law.

SECTION 20. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment of the LGUs, other local funds, the special health
fund under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the “Universal Health Care Act”


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SECTION 21. Implementing Rules and Regulation. ‘The DOH and the DILG shall, in
consultation with the Deplid, CSC, GSIS, and other concerned government agencies and non-
governmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act not later than One
hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 22. Separability Clause.- If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 23. Repealing Clause.- Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the
“Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby repealed. All laws, decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or

amended or accordingly.

SECTION 24. Effectivity.- ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its publication in
the Official Gazette oF in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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