EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘HLB. No. 3443

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6" District of Batangas

AN ACT

PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay officials and volunteer workers, due to their proximity to the people, are the
front-line civil servants and primary public service providers on matters conceming public
health, public order and safety, alternative dispute resolution, and even disaster risk reduction
and management. As such, the success of government plans, programs and projects, especially
in the remote areas of the country depends considerably on the capacity of the barangay

government to implement the laws and execute government interventions.

Yet despite the Herculean task the national government has imposed on barangay
officials and volunteer workers, the national government has yet to provide them with the
remuneration that is commensurate with the role they perform in public service delivery. To
date, barangay officials and volunteer workers such as barangay secretary, barangay treasurer,
barangay health workers, barangay nutritionists, barangay tanods, barangay social workers, and
others are ranked the lowest among all civil servants in terms of remuneration, benefits and

privileges enjoyed and received.

This bill is endorsed in recognition of the significant contribution of barangay officials
and volunteer workers in nation-building. It seeks to provide social security benefits for
barangay officials and volunteer workers through government instrumentalities like the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) and Home Mutual Development Fund (PagIBIG Fund).

bill mandates the


membership and enrolment of all barangay officials and volunteer workers to the GSIS life
insurance and social protection program, the PhilHealth National Health Insurance Program, and
the PagIBIG Fund Voluntary Membership Program.

Finally, this bill also requires the submission of a periodic report to Congress to ensure
the sustainability of the program and the financial stability of the government corporations.
‘These interventions are devised with the end in view of promoting the welfare of the people who
‘ensure the safety, security, amity and well-being of Filipino communities in times of peace and

crisis.

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

VILMA SANTOS-RECTO


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘HLB. No. 3443

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6" District of Batangas

AN ACT
PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, 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. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Officials and
Volunteer Workers’ Social Security Benefits Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to empower
government officials and public volunteer workers at the grassroots level. In line with this policy
and in cognizance of the crucial role of barangay officials and volunteer workers in nation
building, the State shall, through the provision of social security benefits, protect their rights and
promote their welfare.

Sec. 3. Coverage. — All Punong Barangays, Members of the Sangguniang Barangay,
Chairpersons of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Secretaries, Barangay Treasurers, and
qualified Members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Tanods,
and other barangay volunteer workers shall be automatically covered by this Act: Provided, That
the coverage for qualified barangay volunteer workers shall be made in accordance with
pertinent laws and regulations and based on the qualification standards that may be established
by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other government agencies
concerned: Provided, further, That when the barangay official or volunteer worker receives a
fixed salary whether in the same capacity or by virtue of a permanent appointment in any other
‘government office, by election to another public office or by employment in the private sector,
their coverage under this Act shall automatically cease and they shall then be covered under the
appropriate law/s: Provided, finally, That any of the abovementioned barangay official or

volunteer worker who shall automatically lose coverage or cease to be covered by this Act by


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virtue of termination or resignation from office for any lawful cause shall have the option to
continue the coverage by paying the required premiums thereon in accordance with pertinent
laws and regulations.

Sec. 4, Membership of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the Government
Service Insurance System. ~ The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall establish a
social insurance program to provide life insurance and social protection to barangay officials and
volunteer workers in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 5. Enrolment of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the National Health
Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. ~ The Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall enroll non-member barangay officials and volunteer
workers into the National Health Insurance Program in accordance with pertinent laws and
regulations.

Sec. 6. Membership of Non-Member Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the
Voluntary Membership Program of the Home Development Mutual Fund, — The Home
Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG Fund) shall enroll non-member barangay officials and
volunteer workers into the PagIBIG Fund Voluntary Membership Program in accordance with
pertinent laws and regulations.

Sec. 7. Report to Congress. ~ The GSIS, PhilHealth and PagIBIG Fund shall submit an
annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Barangay Officials and Volunteer
Workers’ Social Security Benefit Program no later than June 30 of every year. This report shall
contain the necessary actuarial studies and calculations to ensure the sustainability of the social
security benefits program and the financial stability of their respective agencies. GSIS,
PhilHealth and PagIBIG Fund shall submit their respective report either in printed form or by
way of electronic document.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. ~The amount necessary for the implementation of the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act following its enactment
into law.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DILG and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall,
in coordination with the GSIS, the PagIBIG Fund, and the PhilHealth and after consultation with
the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LnB) and other directly affected stakeholders,
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this
Act.


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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, issuances,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,