| HUUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVCD
Republic of the Philippines '
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE 22 AUG 2016
Quezon City TINE:
BY:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ee

First Regular Session pemeernmet
38168 | auas ano wot x Service

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE LIANDA B. BOLILIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all incumbent Barangay
Officials, Barangay Tanods, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Day Care
Workers, and Members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa. This benefits coverage will be sourced
from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth from proceeds of Republic Act No.
10351

The officials and volunteer workers of the 42,028 barangays serve as frontliners of local
governance. The Punong Barangays acts as the chief executive of the smallest administrative
division in the Philippines. The Sangguniang Barangay is the legislative body that creates
barangay resolutions and ordinances. Meanwhile, the Members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa
comprise the Barangay Justice System or Katarungang Pambarangay whose function is to
conciliate and mediate disputes at the barangay level so as to avoid legal action and relieve the
courts of dock congestion. In addition, the Barangay Tanods are the enforcers of ordinances and
ensure the peace and order within the barangay, while the Barangay Health, Day Care Workers,
and Nutrition Scholars deliver government health and social services.

Ostensibly, the barangay officials and volunteer workers are sine quo non to the delivery
of government services to the grassroots level. Up to this date, they only receive measly
incentives. In particular, the barangay tanods described often as volunteers and are utilized by the
Philippine National Police as force multipliers, receive different incentives and benefits
depending on the capacity of their barangay, municipality or city. Most barangay, municipal and
city governments could not afford to pay for the PhilHealth premiums if charged against their
funds which mostly come from the Internal Revenue Allotment. By providing them free health
insurance while fulfilling their duties through mandatory PhilHealth coverage, we will be
gearing towards the achievement of universal healthcare access.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment and approval of this bill is earnestly

sought

4" District, Batangas


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3168

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE LIANDA B. BOLILIA.

AN ACT MANDATING THE COVERAGE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS, BARANGAY
TANODS, BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS,
DAY CARE WORKERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE LUPON TAGAPAMAYAPA IN
THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM OF PHILHEALTH

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — The national government shall prioritize the
development of the barangays as basic unit of society. Every barangay unit shall have the ability
to progress and be able to achieve sustainable development by providing mandatory health
insurance coverage for the barangay officials and workers

SECTION 2. Coverage. — Barangay officials, barangay tanods, barangay health workers,
barangay nutrition scholars, day care workers, and Members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa shall
be covered by this Act.

SECTION 3. Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage — All barangay officials and volunteer workers
under Section 2 of this Act shall be covered by the National Health Insurance program of
PhilHealth, Funds necessary to ensure the enrolment of all barangay workers under Section 2 not
currently covered by any existing category shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance
Fund of PhilHealth from proceeds of Republic Act No. 10351, in accordance with the pertinent
laws and regulations

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations.— The Secretaries of Health and Interior and
Local Government shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That the failure of the Secretaries of Health and
Interior and Local Government to promulgate the said rules and regulations shall not prevent the
effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,