Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2081
HOUSE BILL NO. ee
___ Introduced by: HON. “KUYA’ JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO —__

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE,

A Barangay Health Worker is an individual who has undergone training programs under
any accredited government and non-government organization who voluntarily renders primary
health care services in the community after being been accredited to function as such by the local
health board in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health.

‘The services of Barangay Health Workers are being deployed in our local communities
especially in remote and rural areas where the presence of medical personnel is limited or close to

. none. The crucial role of the said subject must be compensated by the State by giving them
reasonable set of incentive packages including but not limited to fixed honoraria, health and
insurance coverage.

‘Thus, this bill seeks to provide monetary and incentive packages for the Barangay Health
Worker in order to compensate their valuable services to the public in lieu of the Constitutional
mandate of effective health services that are accessible for all.

In view thereof, the early passage of this proposed measure is highly recommende:

/

“KUYA” JOSE EP TTONG: R. SY-ALVARADOY
Representative
First District of Bulacan



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2081

vents Bh ANS HOUSE BILL NO. 2
10 R. SY-ALVARADO

Introduced by: HO!

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

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

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

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy - It is 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
hich shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all
people. Likewise, the Philippine government is committed to the achievement of the millennium
development goals (MDGs), which includes targets on improving health indicators globally. It
shall then be its declared policy to promote and improve the social wellbeing and welfare of the
Barangay Health Workers who are the forefront of the delivery of health care in the grassroots
level. Towards this end, the State shall adopt policies that will guarantee enhanced quality of life
of the Barangay Health Workers.

SEC, 3. Definition of Terms —

a) Barangay Health Worker (BHW) - refers to a person who has completed the basic
training program for Barangay Health Workers of DOH or training programs by any
accredited government or non-government organization and who voluntarily renders
primary health services in the community after having been accredited to function as such
by the Local Health Board (LHB);

b) Registered BHW - shall refer to an individual who has qualified the definition
stated under Sec.3a of this Act, whose application for registration as BHW has been duly
processed and evaluated by the BHW-RAC and who shall render at least one year of service
in his/her barangay in fulfillment of the requirement for accreditation stipulated under SEC.
8 of this Act. i

©) Accredited BHW - shall refer to a registered BHW who has been issued with a

certificate of accreditation by the local health board after having rendered at least one year

: service in the barangay as required under Sec. 8 of this act, who voluntarily renders primary

|. health services in the'community, and who shall bejentitled to the benefits and incentives
under the act and be issued a BHW privilege card


d) BHW Registration and Accreditation Committee (BHW-RAC) - refers to the
local body established under Republic Act 7883 which facilitates the registration and
accreditation of Barangay Health Workers.

SEC. 4. Coverage - This policy shall cover all registered and aceredited barangay health
workers nationwide who voluntarily renders primary health care services and other health
promotion functions: Provided, that they are not receiving regular salaries from any government
ageney or institution.

SEC. 5. Provision of Barangay Health Worker - There shall be provided at least one (1)
health worker in every barangay throughout the country, Such health worker shall be under the
control and supervision of the Department of Health in close coordination with the Local
Government Health Officer. As far as practicable, the barangay health worker to be employed must
be living in the barangay where he/she is to be assigned, or within the city or municipality in which
the barangay is to be found.

SEC. 6, Basic Training Program for Barangay Health Work - The DOH shall develop a

three-month training program for BHW applicants. The first month that shall. include basic
orientation and training on health programs and institutionalized health service delivery system,
primary health care, basic community organizing, local health research, basic local resource
generation and mobilization, ‘training needs analysis, basic report writing and communication
skills, and program planning and‘development. The program will also offer seminars on basic
dental care,’ reproductive health,! STI and HIV/AIDS prevention, nutrition, physical therapy,
traditional and herbal medicine and reflexology.
‘As ‘a reqitirement for the completion of the training program, applicants shall undergo an internship
program where they will render health and community services in their own rural health units for
‘two months to integrate their learning from the orientation and with community healthcare services
delivery.
‘A certificate of completion  shall'be issued by the municipal health officer! to those who have
finished the basic training program for barangay health work. The DOH shall also be responsible
with the development and updating of refresher courses that shall be availed by BHWs every three
years.

SEC, 7, Registration - The City/Municipal BHW Registration and Accreditation Committee
(BHW-RAC) established under Republic Act 7883, shall evaluate applications of BHWs and
process the registration and accreditation of Barangay Health Workers (BHW). The BHW-RAC
shall propose the limitations on the number of BHWs per municipality or city based on the health
needs and accessibility of health services in the area.

a) Qualifications for Registration - 'To qualify for registration, the applicant must
meet the qualification standards to be developed by DOH and must undergo the DOH basic
training program for BHWs) Qualification standards shall include, among others,
educational attainment of the applicant.

Wet b) Procedure of Registration - The! BHW applicant shall submit to BHW-RAC
f his/her application and documents as may be required by the DOH. The BHW-RAC shall
release result of the screening not later than seven (7) working days after the submission of



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this Act.

complete application documents. If the applicant is deemed qualified, the BHW-RAC shall
order for the three-month training of the applicant. Upon the submission of the certificate
of completion, the BHW-RAC shall release a certificate of registration to the applicant.

SEC. 8. Atcreditation’ - In'order for Barangay Health Workers to’ be entitled 6! some
benefits and incentives under this'Act, they must be duly-accredited by the local health board
Provided, that the BHW who will be eligible for accreditation must have rendered at least one (1)
year of service in’ his/her Barangay.’ Accredited BHWs shall be provided with a certificate of

accreditation and a BHW Privilege Card.
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The accreditation to be granted by the local health board shall be valid for 3 years. BHWs
who wish to extend serving in their municipalities shall apply for renewal of accreditation to the
BHW-RAC

The local health boards, through the provincial health boards in the case of municipalities,
shall furnish a copy of registered and accredited BHWs to the DOH, which is hereby mandated to
maintain a national registry of barangay health workers.

SEC. 9, Re-Appointment and Re-Accreditation of BHWS - only BHWS who have
undergone a refresher course or training shall be re-appointed by the BHW-RAC.

SEC. 10. BHW Registry'-!The CHDs shall be responsible'in updating the BHW registry
r respective regions and shall Submit an updated copy'to the DOH Central office every quarter who
shall be responsible in maintaining the national BHW registry, which shall be the reference of
agencies that wll be providing incentives and benefits to BHWs

SEC:'11. BHW Privilege Card’- all accredited Barangay Health Workers shall be provided
with a privilege card “a ‘a proof hie 3 they are entitled to the benefits and incentives granted under

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SEC. 12. Incentives and Benefits -

|. Hazard Allowance - All registered Barangay Health Workers performing services
in difficult areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distresses or isolated stations; disease
infested areas or in areas declared under state of calamity or emergency for the duration
thereof which expose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activity/eruption
occupational risks or’ perils to life as determined by the local health board and the local
government unit concerned shall receive hazard allowance: Provided, That the hazard
allowance shall not be more than the hazard allowance received by the rural health nurse in

11) the barangay as mandated in Republic Act No. 7305.

2! Subsistence ‘Alldwance = All registered Barangay Health Workers who render
Service within the premise’ of isolated Barangay health stations in order to\make their
services available at any and all times shall be entitled to subsistence allowance equivalent
to the meals they take in the course of their duty, which shall be computed in accordance
with prevailing circumstances as determined by the local government unit concerned:
Provided! That the subsistence allowance’shall not be more than the subsistence allowance
received by'the rural health'nurse in the barangay as mandated in Republic Act No, 7305



3, Remote Assignment Allowance’- All registered Barangay Health Workers
rendering services in remote areas or isolated barangays, which for reasons of far distance
makes health care facilities inaccessible for the residents, shall be entitled to an incentive
bonus in the form of remote assignment allowance: Provided, That the remote assignment
allowance shall not be more than the subsistence allowance received by the rural health
nuise in the barangay as mandated in Republic Act No. 7305.

4, PHILHEALTH Compulsory Coverage- All accredited Barangay Health Workers
Shall be enrolled in the National Health Insurance program for them to receive and avail of
aan adequate package of personal health services that must include in-patient hospital care,
out-patient care, emergency and transfer services, and also other supplementary health
benefits as may be defined by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) and the
local government unit (LGU) where they render services.

5, Medical Examination’ = Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free
of charge to all public health workers before entering BHW service and s once a year as
long as the BHW is still rendering services in their respective barangays.

6. Compensation from Work-Related Injuries - Any injury incurred by BHWs
during the performance of their duties shall be compensated. The DOH shalll release the
corresponding rate of payment per possible injury.

7. Free Legal! Services + Free legal representation and consultation services shall
likewise be available for all accredited barangay health workers by the Public Attomey's
Office. The DOH shall also endeavor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
with the ‘Integrated Bar Association of the! Philippines (IBP) to allow lawyers who will
provide free legal assistance to BHWs be granted mandatory continuing legal education
(MCLE) credits bs

8) Training, “Education and ' Career ‘Enrichment’ Programs’ - ‘The DOH, in
coordination with CHED and the University of the Philippines shall provide scholarships
and opportunities for continuing trainings and studies for accredited BHWs. The program
‘will include but not limited to the following

a. Scholarship’ programs to courses that will upgrade their skills and
knowledge for community work including but not limited to Bachelor of Science in
Community Health, Midwifery, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medicine: Provided, that
the BHW who will be afforded with scholarships is required to serve for at least five
years after eraduating from their chosen courses.

:. Study \and ‘exposure tours’ that will improve their knowledge on
community health works as may be funded by the DOH or the LGU concemed.

1 9 Support for Program Scholars “ Courses under the training, education and career
gnrichment programs’ shall be offered to BHWs free of charge. ‘The Department of Health
shall offer full scholarships, socialized subsidies, and "study now pay later" schemes for
BHWs availing of the scholarship programs.


10, Accreditation of Work Experience for Degree Equivalent - The DOH, in
coordination with CHED, shall release mechanisms or guidelines on the accreditation of
years of service rendered by BHWs equivalent to appropriate degree in the field of medicine
and community and social work that are available in state universities and colleges,

+ 11, Grant of Scholarships to Dependents of BHWs - College scholarships to any
state universities and colleges or TESDA scholarships shall be granted to a maximum of
two (2) children of accredited BHWs.

12, Civil Service Eligibility ~ a civil service eligibility shall be granted to a duly
accredited barangay health worker who has rendered to at least five (5) years of continuous
service to the barangay, Provided, that the certificate of accreditation is valid. Provided,
further, that the one year service requirement for accreditation under this act, which was
rendered while a registered BHW, shall not be considered in the five-year minimum
requirement for the grant of civil service eligibility. The eligibility granted shall be
appropriate for appointment to corresponding first level positions as may be determined by
the civil service commission

SEC. 13, Retirement Age - The mandatory retirement age for BHWs shall be 65 years old.

However, an optional retirement shall also be available for those who have reached 60 to 64 years
ot age, Accredited BHWs qualified under this provision can avail ofthe retirement benefits under

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SEC. 14: Appropriation- i

An annual appropriation of Fifty Million Pesos (PhP50,000,000) shall be included
in the annual budget of the Department of Health to finance the training modules of the
Barangay Health Workers, Another Fifty Million Pesos (PhP50,000,000) shall be annually
included in the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government to cover the
two months internship: program of the Barangay Health Workers, provided however, that
this fund allocation shall be released directly: by the DILG to the respective barangay upon
their submission to and approval of the eost of Barangay Health’ Workers intemship
program by the local health development officer

b: Premium payments for the benefits: of BHWS shall be bone by the LGU
concerned: Provided, that the national government shall subsidize fifty percent (50%) of
the contributions of fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities. Any expenditure by LGUs
for the benefits of BHWs shall be exempted from the limit on the allocation for personal
services of LGUs ‘as provided for under Sec: 325, Article 1, Chapter 3, Title 5, Book 2 of
Republic Act 7160.

SEC. 15. Penalties - any person, government official or health worker who shall be proven

to have assigned tasks to BHWs that can only be'performed by licensed health licensed health
workers or any task that are not part of the function of BHWs as provided in the IRR of RA 7883
shall pay'a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PHP10,000) pesos

cal eotebimes til scdopt a eebtsharing fianclag vcberh for thé impléinentation ofthe Basie
course on ‘Barangay''Health ‘Workers ‘depending on the income level of the concerned local
government units



SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of Health, in consultation
with the Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission, CHED,
‘TESDA, GSIS and the National Confederation of Barangay Health Workers, shall prepare within
one hundred and eighty (180) days the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions
of this Act. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days
after publication in a newspaper of general circulation

SEC. 17. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder
+ or any of this provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC, 18. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential issuances and
other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or sriodified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectjfty - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) nationalMewspapers of general circulation.

Approved,