Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__239

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AUDREY KAY T. ZUBIRI

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are at the heart of our healthcare system,

imited. As the
first point of contact for health services, BHWs are directly involved in critical tasks such as

particularly in rural and underserved arcas where access to formal healthcare i

health education, disease prevention, maternal and child care, and emergency medical
response.

A study in 2022! presents the urgent need for adequate support for BHWs, particularly
in terms of fair compensation and access to professional training. Such support would
significantly enhance their skills and confidence, enabling them to perform their vital duties
more effectively. The study also highlights that the politicization of BHW roles has hindered
the success of health programs, making it difficult to achieve consistent and sustainable

healthcare outcomes.

Despite their invaluable contributions, BHWs continue to face numerous challenges,
including insufficient compensation, lack of formal recognition, and limited professional
development opportunities. Many BHWs work on a voluntary basis or receive minimal
honoraria, without any formal benefits, job security, or career growth prospects. This has led

* Mikhaela Y.T. Baliola, Margaret R. Golpe, and Leslie V. Advincula-Lopea, Gains and Challenges of the
Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Program During COVID-19 in Selected Cities in the Philippines, (2022),
available at hips _archium ateneo edu ot vieweontent eat "article= LL 3.eo" igat=dev-studeraculty-puh



to low morale, burnout, and, in some cases, the abandonment of their roles due to the poor

working conditions and inadequate pay.

For instance, in 2020, reports indicated that BHWs in rural areas were receiving
between P350.00 to P1,200.00 per month, which translates to a daily wage ranging from P 12.00
to P40.002 This meager income is starkly insufficient, especially when daily living expenses,
including basic food needs, often exceed P700.00.

The disparity is even more evident when we consider that one BHW is responsible for
the health needs of up to 98 individuals on average, a workload that far exceeds the demands

placed on regular employees, both in terms of volume and complexity.

This bill seeks to address these pressing issues by establishing a Magna Carta for
Barangay Health Workers, ensuring that they are formally recognized as indispensable
members of our healthcare system. The proposed law will guarantee a fair and transparent
recruitment process, adequate compensation, comprehensive social benefits, career
advancement opportunities, and access to advanced training programs in partnership with the
Department of Health (DOH), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). These measures aim to enhance their

professional development, making them more effective in their roles.

Under this bill, a monthly honorarium of not less than P3.000.00 will be provided for
registered BHWs, while certified BHWs will receive a mini

1um of P5,000.00, with provisions
for periodic increases every three years to ensure that their compensation keeps pace with

inflation and the rising cost of living.

The enactment of this Magna Carta will not only si

ificantly improve the welfare of
Barangay Health Workers but will also strengthen the delivery of healthcare services at the
grassroots level. In turn, this will contribute to improving public health outcomes nationwide,

particularly in communities that rely heavily on BHWs for basic healthcare needs.

? Cai Ordinario, Community Health Workers Paid Under P50 a Day-Study, (July 10, 2020),
hips www philstar com headline (07 10 2024177 community -health-* opkers-pan
sbaly,



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

A A KAY T. ZUBIRT

Representative, 3rd District of Bukidnon


earanae

10
cE
12
13
14
1s
16
7
18

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

235

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AUDREY KAY T. ZUBIRI

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:

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

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

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. It is
also the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services

available to the communities.

The State acknowledges that primary health care is a key component in attaining
universal health care and, with the support of local government units (LGUs), the
participation of communities, and voluntecrism of the population, is an cflective strategy
towards realizing health empowerment and delivering effective health care programs and

services.


wer anerwone

10
uw
12
13
14
15
16
aw
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
7
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

The State values the indispensable role of barangay health workers (BHWs) as
frontliners in providing primary health care services and, therefore, shall adopt policies that

will harness their potential as partners in national development.

Pursuant thereto, the State shall define their roles and responsibilities, prescribe the
methods for their recruitment and retention, identify programs for capability-building and
career advancement, and provide avenues to ventilate and resolve issues concerning them. In
recognition of the spirit of volunteerism and concem for the uplifiment of the health status of
communities, the State shall also promote the welfare and well-being of volunteer BHWs and
provide them with incentives and benefits through the collaborative efforts of LGUs and the

national government.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all BHWs, whether as volunteers or
employees of government, and all LGUs and national government agencies that mobilize
BHWs to expand the delivery of primary health care services to communities,

families, and individuals.

CHAPTER II
THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
DELIVERY

SEC. 4. The Role of BHWs in Providing Primary Health Care. — The BHWs shall
serve as frontliners in supporting the delivery of primary health care in the community. They
shall form part of the community health teams of the barangay health station, health center,
or any other primary health care facility of the municipal/city health office established to

provide primary health care/services to a barangay or a part of it, or a cluster of barangays.

For this purpose, BHWs are hereby declared as members of the cadre of community
health care workers. The head of the barangay health station, health center, or any other
primary health care facility, of the municipal/city health office, shall exercise day-to-day

direct control and supervision over the BHWs.

The BHW shall perform the following roles:


weervanerwne

10
cay
12
13
14
1s
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
7
28
29

31
32
33

(a) Primary Health Care Service Provider — to assist the health facilities in providing
primary health care services to the members of the community;
(b) Health Educator — to provide knowledge and skills to community members in the

prevention and management of simple illness

(©) Community Organizer — to organize and mobilize the community towards self-
reliance; and

(d) Record Keeper — to assist in the development and maintenance of a community
health profile, and collect health data and information of families and individuals

in the community.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11223, or the "Universal Health Care Act", certified
BHWs, who have undergone the certification process under Section 10 of this Act, shall serve
as primary care workers and act as the navigator, initial and continuing point of contact in the
health care delivery system. They shall endorse patients to the next level of health care
provider within the health care provider network to which the barangay health station, health
center, or any other primary health care unit, belongs: Provided, That except in emergency or
serious cases and when proximity is a concer, access to higher levels of care shall be
coordinated by the certified BHWs.

To effectively and efficiently perform these roles and expectations, the BHWs to be

assigned to a barangay should be residents of the community.

The Department of Health (DOH) shall promulgate the policies,
ies of registered and certified BHWs.

guidelines, and the

specific duties and responsibi

SEC. 5. Coordination Between the Health Station/Health Center! Health Care
Facility of the Municipal/ City Health Office with the Barangay. ~The head of the barangay
health station, health center, or any other primary health care facility, of the municipal/city
health office shall coordinate and collaborate with the punong barangay, or with several
punong barangays in the case of health centers providing services to a cluster of barangays,
in the implementation of programs and activities to address the primary health care needs of

the communities.


wearanewne

10
sv
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
aa
22
23
24
25
26
7
28
29

31
32
33
34

Pursuant to Section 17(b)(ii) of the Local Government 5 Code, the punong barangay
shall support the delivery of health services in the community by ensuring the maintenance
of the health station center, particularly in providing the necessary additional logistical

support, supplies, and services needed by BHWs.

SEC. 6. Number of Barangay Health Workers. — The determination of the number
of BHWs who can serve a barangay or a cluster thereof shall be guided by and based on,
among others, the catchment population, the community health profile, and the need for

different primary health care services.

‘The DOH, in consultation with LGUs, shall determine the ideal ratio of BHWs with
the required competencies to households and issue an updated policy on this ratio every five

(5) years.

CHAPTER 111
REGISTRATION, CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND RETENTION

SEC. 7. Registration. —In addition to qualifications to be set by the municipal/city

health board, an applicant must meet the following requirements to qualify as a BHW:

(a) At least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing the application for
registration;

(b) Physically and mentally fit; and

(©) With basic BHW orientation and training as prescribed by the DOH completed in the

same year of application for registration.

Eligible applicants shall register with the local health board in the municipality or city
where they reside and intend to render service and shall be given appropriate proof of said

registration.

It shall be the duty of the municipal/city health offices, in cooperation with the provincial
health offices and the DOH, to provide interested BHW applicants with basic orientation and

training.


earvrauseo

10
u
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
a
22
2B
24
25
26
7
28
29
30
31
32
33

SEC. 8. Role of the Municipal/ City Local Health Boards. — In addition to their
functions under Section 102 Title V of the Local Government Code, as amended, the
municipal/city health boards shall prescribe the policies and guidelines and be
responsible for the recruitment, sclection, registration, certification, retention and removal of,

and the resolution of complaints and grievances involving, BHWs in their jurisdictions.

The decisions of the municipal/city health board with regard to the revocation of
registration of a BHW or on the resolution of complaints and grievances of and against BHWs
may be appealed to the provincial health board and, thereafter, to the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG). The DILG, in collaboration with the DOH, shall

provide the general guidelines in setting up the grievance and appeal mechanism.

SEC. 9, National BHW Information System. —A National BHW Information System
shall be established and maintained by the DOH, in partnership with the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), to assist the national government and
LGUs in formulating and implementing policies and programs for the organization and
development of the cadre of BHWs. The Information System shalt be the sole source of real-
time data and information on BHWs nationwide. It shall contain the list of all BHWs at the
barangay, municipal, city, and provincial levels, their socio-demographic profiles,

qualifications, areas of assignment, and other information that the DOH may deem necessary.

The municipal/city health boards shall be responsible for registering and continuously
updating the records of BHWs in their jurisdictions. The provincial health boards, with the
assistance of the DOH, shall provide training to municipal/city health boards within the
province on the use of the Information System and ensure that the local health boards

regularly submit accurate data and information on their BHWs.

SEC. 10. Certification of BHWs. — To ensure the health and welfare of the
community and further professionalize the cadre of BHWs in rendering primary health care
services, a duly registered BHW shall undergo certification by the municipal/city health
board,

The DOH, in consultation with the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Civil Service


weervaure

10
1
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

Commission (CSC), shall promulgate the policies, standards, and guidelines for the

certifica

ion of competency of BHWs.

To qualify for certification, a registered BHW must have:

(a) Completed at least two (2) years of continuous service in the locality;

(b) Completed the training on the roles, duties, and responsibilities of a BHW, as
prescribed by the DOH;

(c) Provided satisfactory performance as evaluated by the health care professional
supervising the concerned BHW immediately prior to the filing of application for
certification; and

(d) Completed the courses of the certification component of the Education and Training

Program, provided in Section 11 of this Act,

The municipal/city health hoards shall act on the applications for certification of
BHWs not later than thirty (30) days from the date of application and issue the certificate of
competency to qualified BHWs upon inspection, verification, or testing of their conformity
to policies, standards, and guidelines issued by the DOH. It shall be the duty of the
municipal/city governments, in cooperation with the provincial government and the DOH, to

provide the applicant BHWs the necessary support and opportunities for certification.

SEC. 11. Education and Training Program for BHWs. - The DOH and the TESDA,
in collaboration with the CSC, the CHED, relevant government agencies, LGUs, education
institutions, and stakeholders, shall develop and institutionalize a continuing competency-

based education and training curriculum for all BHWs.

The curriculum shall train the BHWs as primary health care service providers, health
educators, community organizers, and record keepers. It shall prescribe the courses for the
certification component and for the continuing health education and capacity-building of all
BHWs.

The DOH and the TESDA shall complement the competency-based education and

training curriculum by making available web-based and mobile applications for purposes of:

(a) Providing training materials to enhance the knowledge and skills of BHWs;


weavauswn

10
1
12
13
14
15
16
wv
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2s
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

(b) Offering forums for BHWs to communicate, share experiences, and seek advice from
peers and health professionals;

(c) Disseminating new policies, programs, and guidelines pertaining to their roles and
responsibilities;

(d) Facilitating reporting and feedback mechanisms to improve service delivery and
address challenges faced in the field; and

(e) Offering resources including health and wellness programs for personal and

professional development.

SEC. 12. Inclusion of the BHW Positions in the Government mantilla. — The
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with the CSC, the DOH and
LGUs, shall establish the position classification and the corresponding salary grades for
BHWs in the Index of Occupational Standards. Municipalities and cities may employ BHWs

in their respective LGUs.

SEC. 13. Retention and Continuous Service of BHWs. - Registered and certified
BHWs shall continue to perform their roles, duties, and responsibilities except duc to the
withdrawal of an individual as a BHW or removal for cause by the municipal/city health
board after due process. The continuity of services of BHWs, revocation of their registration,
or their removal from the cadre of BHWs, shall follow the policies and guidelines
promulgated by the DILG and the DOH.

CHAPTER IV
INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS, RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS, OF BHWs

SEC. 14. Incentives and Benefits of BHWs. — (a) In recognition of the time, services,
and resources they contribute, registered and certified volunteer BHWs shall receive, or be

provided with, the following:

(1) Monthly Honoraria, — A monthly honorarium of not less than Three Thousand Pesos
(Php3,000.00) for registered BHWs and not less than Five Thousand Pesos
(Php5,000.00) for certified BHWs: Provided, That no diminution of monthly honoraria

can be made on BHWs already receiving more than the herein prescribed minimum


warvaneun

10
wa
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
a
22
23
24
25
26
7
28
29

31
32
33

amounts: Provided, further, That the DOH, in coordination with the DILG and the

DBM, shall review and adjust the minimum honoraria every three (3) years;

(2) Transportation Allowance/Expense Reimbursements. Registered and certified BHWs
shall be provided by the barangay with transportation allowance or to reimbursement
of actual transportation expense for the performance of their functions, as may be
authorized by law or regulation: Provided, That the barangay may, instead, provide
applicable forms of transportation to enable the BHWs to provide the needed primary
health care service: Provided, further, That the municipality or city, through their health
offices, may shoulder such allowance or expense: Provided, finally, That official
travels, such as seminars, conferences, and transport of patients outside of the barangay
or locality, shall be shouldered by the barangay, municipality, city, or province that
authorized such official travel and shall not be deducted ftom the honoraria of the
BHWs;

(3) Subsistence Allowance. The concerned municipality or city shall provide BHWs who
render service in unserved or underserved barangays where they are not residents to
make their services available at any and all times, with subsistence allowance
equivalent to the meals taken during their duty, which shall be computed following
prevailing circumstances. In no case shall such subsistence allowance be less than One
Hundred Pesos (Php 100.00) per day;

(4) Hazard Allowance. - BHWs who, in the exercise of their duties, are exposed to
situations, conditions, or factors in the work environment or place where foresccable
but unavoidable danger or risks to their health, life, or on their person exist, including

assignment to communities

in or recovering from a situation of armed conflict, as
validated by proper authorities, shall be paid a hazard allowance by the concemed
municipality or city in an amount to be determined by its local health board and the
local peace and order council, which shall in no case be less than One Thousand Pesos

(Php1,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations;

(5) Insurance Coverage. Insurance coverage and benefit packages from the Government

Service Insurance System (GSIS), suited to their needs and unique circumstances, shall


wearaneune

10
1
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

31
32
33
34

be borne by the concerned municipality or city. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design

such appropriate insurance packages;

(6) Health Emergency Allowance During Public Health Emergency. — Volunteer BHWs
who are part of the National BHW Information System and are assigned to health
facilities and barangay health emergency response tcams during public health
emergencies shall be entitled to the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) and other
benefits prescribed in Republic Act No. 11712. The national government shall provide

funds for the payment of the HEA and other benefits;

(7) Cash Gift. — The BHWs shall be entitled to a cash gift not less than the minimum.

monthly honoraria, to be given every December;

(8) One-time Dedicated Service Recognition Incentive. - A BHW who withdraws as a

registered or certified BHW but has continuously and satisfactorily served for at least

fifteen (15) years shall, in recognition of his/her loyalty, dedication, and service, be
entitled to a one-time incentive of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00),
which shall be bone by the municipality or city concerned. The national and provincial
governments shall assist in case of non-availability of funds from the concerned

municipality or component city;

(9) Education and Career Advancement. The DOH, in coordination with the
Department of Education, CHED, TESDA, CSC, other concerned national government
agencies, non-government organizations, and LGUs, shall provide information on, and

opportunities for, education and career advancement for BHWs, such as:

i. Educational programs that credit the years of primary health care service of the
BHW and the number of training hours gained during attendance to courses
covered by the Education and Training Program under Section 11 of this Act
towards higher education completion in institutions with step-ladder curricula, 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", thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and knowledge for community

work or to pursue further training as health care professionals;


weavraneswvne

10
u
12
13
4
15
16
7
18
19
20
a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

ii, Continuing education, study and exposure tours, field immersion, and scholarship
and financial grants, among others;

iii, Scholarship grant or financial assistance to one (1) child of a BHW who is unable
to take advantage of the programs described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) hereof; and

iv. Special training programs, such as traditional medicine, disaster preparedness, and

other programs that address emergent community health problems and issues:

(10)Free Legal Services. — Legal representation and consultation services shall be
immediately provided by the Public Attorney's Office to a BHW in cases of coercion
or interference, and in other civil and criminal eases filed by or against the BHW arising

out of or in connection with the performance of his/her duties; and

(11) Preferential Access to Government Livelihood Programs. — Government agencies
providing livelihood programs shall provide organized BHWs with preferential access
to loan services: Provided, That in the provision of the monthly honoraria and the cash
gift, and in consideration of the financial assistance of the national government to third,
fourth, and fifth class municipalities, as provided under Section 15 of this Act, the
provinces, in consultation with component cities, municipalities, and barangays within
their jurisdiction, shall determine the actual amount or percentage share of the amount
that each LGU will give to BHWs: Provided, further, That nothing herein limits the
barangay, municipality, city, or province from fully shouldering the provision of the
monthly honoraria and the cash gift: Provided, furthermore, That nothing herein
prevents the barangay, municipality, city, and province from providing additional
monetary and non-monetary benefits to BHWs to supplement those given by another
concerned LGU within the province: Provided, finally, That these honoraria shall be
given starting January of the ensuing fiscal year unless the LGUs, singly or collectively,
immediately provide the needed funding.

(b) Certified BHWs shall be granted sub-professional eligibility if they have rendered at
least five (5) years of 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 the computation of retirement benefits.
‘The emoluments, incentives, benefits, honoraria, allowances, and reimbursements of

BHWs employed by the municipality, city, province, or national government agencies


earanswune

10
uu
12
3
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2s
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

on a regular, contractual, casual, or job order basis shall be governed by civil service
laws and the policies issued by the CSC, the Office of the President, the DBM, and the
LGU under which they are employed.

SEC. 15. BHW Deployment Subsidy to Low-income Municipalities. - There is hereby
mandated a BHW Deployment Subsidy to Low-Income Municipalities to provide financial
assistance to third, fourth, and fifth class municipalities and enable them to deploy a sufficient
number of volunteer BHWs in their communities, particularly to unserved or underserved
areas in their jurisdictions, and provide incentives to dedicated volunteer BHWs. Priority shall
be given to municipalities with no or less capacity to give regular and adequate monthly

honoraria and other incentives to their BHWs, as determined by the DOH and the DILG.

SEC. 16. 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.

SEC. 17. Prohibition on Participation in Political Activities. — To maintain their
integrity and impartiality, and eliminate the possibility of conflicts with their catchment
households, BHWs are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities. Any BHW
who files an application as a candidate in any political position is hereby deemed removed

from the list of registered BHWs or resigned from government service, as the case may be.

Participation in political activities shall serve as basis for the local health board to

remove BHWs from the list of registered BHWs.

CHAPTER V
ASSOCIATIONS AND FEDERATIONS OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

SEC. 18. Associations and Federations of BHWs. - There shall be organized
associations of BHWs at the municipal and city levels and federations at the provincial,

regional, sub-national, and national levels. The BHW associ:

ions of highly urbanized cities
that are independent from provinces where they are located, and LGUs in the National Capital
Region, shall directly become members of regional, sub-national and national federations.

These associations and federations shall serve as the venues to ventilate issues and formulate


wearvraune

10
ww
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

31
32
33

and communicate policy proposals conceming BHWs, particularly on their roles and duties
as the frontliners, as well as their welfare and well-being, in supporting the delivery of

primary health care services in the community

The municipal and city associations and the provincial, regional, and sub-national

federations shall elect their respective president, vice-president,

etary, treasurer, and other
officers as they may deem necessary. The national federation shall elect a board of directors
headed by a chairperson and a set of national officers headed by a national president, as
prescribed in their constitution and by-laws. A secretary-general shall he chosen from among
the national federation members to manage the day-to-day operations and activities of the
federation. The board of directors may create such other positions necessary for the

management of the affairs of the national federation.

SEC. 19. Consultation with Local Health Boards. —The different local health boards
shall consult the associations and federations under their jurisdictions on, among others, the

roles and responsibilities of BHWs for the effective delivery of primary health care services.

CHAPTER VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 20. Observance of BHW Day. — Every barangay shall commemorate BHW
Day on April 7 of every year in recognition of the service of BHWs, their heroic services in
times of crisis, and their indispensable role in promoting health and wellness among the

citizenry.

The DOH, in cooperation with the DILG and all LGUs, shall hold simple ceremonies
or activities to highlight the indispensable role of BHWs in nation building,

SEC. 21. Penalty Clause. — A local government official who violates any provision

of this Act shall be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with law.

SEC. 22. Annual Accomplishment Reports. - The DOH and the DILG shall submit to
the Office of the President, the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives,


Cay aws

10
ca
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
2
2B
24
25
26
27

an annual report on the accomplishments and challenges with regard to the implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 23. Appropriations. — The amounts necessary for the implementation of this
‘Act shall be charged against the funds of LGUs and the appropriations of the DOH.

The amounts necessary for the initial implementation of the BHW Deployment
Subsidy to Low-Income Municipalities shall be charged against the current year's
appropriations of the DOH and, thereafter, shall be included in the annual General
‘Appropriations Act.

SEC. 24, Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH and the DILG shall, in
consultation with LGUs, the national federation of BHWs, the CSC, the DBM, the TESDA,
the CHED, the GSIS, other concerned government agencies, non-government organizations,
and academic and training institutions, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this

Act not later than one hundred eighty (180) days from its effectivity.

SEC. 28. 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.

SEC. 26. 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, executive orders, rules, and regulations which arc inconsistent with this Act

are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect afier fifteen (15) days from its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of yeneral circulation.

Approved,