Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3306

Introduced by Representative VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create the Community Health Worker Education and Training Program,
increasing compensation and other benefits for Barangay Health Workers (BHW).

Section 12, Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall
undertake appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country’s
health needs and problems.

Relatedly, Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 specifies the
Local Government Units’ responsibility to provide for health services and facilities for each
barangay, including the implementation of programs and projects on primary health care, maternal
and child care, and communicable and non-communicable disease control devices, access to
secondary and tertiary services.

To further address the State’s role on undertaking health manpower development, Republic
Act No. 7883 or the Barangay Health Worker’s Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 was enacted
to provide support for BHWs in terms of health education and trainings, and in incentives and
benefits. The State recognizes that it is ultimately the BHWs that secure the effectivity of the most
basic of the country’s healthcare programs and projects.

However, despite the BHWS’ critical role as frontliners of our country’s community-based
health interventions, many cities and municipalities still lack health workers. While there are those
that are equipped with functional barangay health services and workers, the many challenges
hampering efficient healthcare service delivery remain a glaring reality the Government cannot,
keep disregarding. Some BHWs need to slog through the fields just to conduct house-to-house
visits in some areas; some need to shell out their own pockets for food and travel; while some are
exposed to the many health risks while on the job.

The lack of sufficient training and commensurate incentives for the services of BHWs can
be addressed with appropriate legislative action. This bill aims to provide free Education and

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Training Programs for BHWs in addition to the entitlement to additional compensation and

incentives.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

VINCEN

RANCO D. FRASCO

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _3306

Introduced by Representative VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO-

AN ACT
CREATING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
PROGRAM, INCREASING COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS (BHW), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “Barangay Health Workers Empowerment
Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is 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 all the people at affordable cost. In furtherance of this,
the State shall endeavor to provide accessible and quality health services through barangay health
workers as frontliners of community-based health interventions.

Section 3. Coverage. - The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to all BHWs under
Republic Act No. 7883. For the purpose of this Act, the term “barangay health worker” shall refer
to a person who has undergone a training program under any accredited government or non-
government organization primarily to render health care services, pursuant to Republic Act No.
7883.

Section 4. Six-Month Education and Training Program for Community-Based Health
Workers. - The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the University of the
Philippines (UP), shall develop a competency-based education and training curriculum for all
BHWs, The curriculum shall train the community health workers as healthcare provider,
community organizer, health service manager, trainer and educator, and researcher. It shall include
basic orientation and training on health programs and institutionalized health service delivery
system, primary healthcare, basic community organizing, local health research, social health
insurance navigation, basic local resource generation and mobilization, training needs analysis,

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basic report writing and communication skills, and program planning and development. Courses
on basic dental care, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS
prevention, nutrition, physical therapy, traditional and herbal medicine and reflexology shall be
offered.

Section 5. Accreditation and Competency Assessment. - The Department of Health (DOH),
in coordination with local governments and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), shall conduct a
competency assessment test upon completion of the Education and Training Program, provided
that this requirement shall be waived for those who have passed the assessment test or have served
as BHWs for five (5) years or more will be accredited. The Provincial Health Board, with the
participation of TESDA, PhilHealth, and accredited training NGOs, is hereby mandated to carry
‘out the accreditation of BHWs.

Section 6. Program Cost and Cost Sharing for Local Government Units. - The basic
Education and Training Program shall be offered free of charge. Local governments shall adopt a
cost sharing financing scheme with the National Government through the DOH for the
implementation of the basic course on Barangay Health Work depending on the income level of
the concerned local government units.

Section 7. Compensation and Other Incentives. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to
a monthly basic pay of six thousand pesos (P6,000.00). They shall likewise be entitled to the
incentives and benefits provided under the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, and shall be
covered by all existing statutory benefits such as PAG-IBIG, GSIS, and PhilHealth. In addition,
they shall be given burial and disability assistance in case of death or if the BHW is afflicted by
illness which results to disability, especially if such occurs in the duration of his service. A regular
adjustment in monetary and other non-monetary incentives shall be made to help improve the
living conditions of BHWs.

‘A BHW who has served less than five (5) upon passage of this Act will be given a pro-
rated amount based on years of service. BHWs will be given first priority in enlisting for the
Education and Training Program.

Section 8. Compensation Based on PhilHealth Utilization. — PhilHealth is directed to
develop a compensation package for accredited BHWs based on PhilHealth utilization for
programs including but not limited to social health insurance navigation, maternal neo-natal child
health care and nutrition, primary care packages, rehabilitation and recovery of senior citizens and
Persons With Disability (PWD), provided that compensation received from PhilHealth will be over
and above the basic monthly pay.

Section 9. Mandatory Continuing Community-Based Health Education. - The DOH, in
cooperation with TESDA, will formulate a module for Mandatory Continuing Community-based
Health Education (MCCHE). Each accredited BHW will be required to undergo an MCCHE at
least every three (3) years of active service, or as warranted by the DOH.

Section 10. Implementing Agencies. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act,
the TESDA and DOH, with the participation of various health union representatives, shall provide

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the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
The IRR shall be published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Section 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of thi:
‘Act shall be charged against the allocation in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the DOH.

Section 12. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of the Act is declared void or
itu ing portions or provisions hereof shall not be affected by such

Section 13. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law or regulations inconsistent herewith
is hereby repealed, revoked, or modified accordingly.

Section 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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