I! 
'~' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session· 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
'serlatS;' . 
Il)lh; •• 1 tlJ.,Jiorrr'tA'~ 
'14 
MAY -8 P2 :12 
TO IMPROVE AND TO PROMOTE QUALITY DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES 
IN BARANGAYS, ENACTING THE 
"BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND SERVICES REFORM ACT OF 2014" 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the present government set-up, the Barangay Health Volunteer, also known as Barangay 
Health Worker, is a category of health care providers in the Philippines. They undergo a basic 
training program 'under an accredited government or non-government organization, and 
render 
primary 
care 
services 
in 
the 
community. 
They 
provide 
services 
for barangays (neighbourhoods) in areas such as maternal, new-born and child health. Barangay 
Health Workers are accredited to function as such by the local health board in accordance with the 
guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health, as defined in Section 3 of RepubJic Act No. 
7883. Each volunteer receives about five weeks of training. Barangay Health Workers live in the 
communities they seFYe, and act as change agents in their communities. They provide information, 
education and motivation services for primary health care, maternal and child health, child 
rights, family planning and nutrition. They may administer immunizations and regular weighing 
of children. 
They often assist midwives in providing birthing services. 
On average, each 
Volunteer is expected to work with around 20 families in their community. However the scarcity 
of trained individuals has narrowed down the number of volunteers, especially in some remote 
areas, where now one or two volunteers service an entire barangay.l 
, As of the 2011, the Bureau of Local Health Development of the Department of Health 
estimated that there are 219,433 active Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in the country. It is an 
indication that BHW s are indispensable in the delivery and promotion of primary health care 
programs of our government. Ditto, the BHWs are the ones directly working on the grassroots 
level for community profiling; thus, dealing with the smallest unit of our society which is the 
family. 
But the present policy considers and treats BHWs as mere volunteers under Republic Act 
(RA) '7883 entitled, "The B,arangay Health Workers' Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995", 
Although RA 7883 provides for an opportunity for BHWs to obtain second grade eligibility; the 
process of arriving thereat seems unattainable, if not impossible. Consequently, numerous factors 
placed BHWs to economic oppression and human exploration. 
1 Wikip~dia, www.wikipedia.com. citing the follOWing studies of the Red Cross Philippines, 8 November.20ll; 
Department of Health: Basic Support for Institutionalizing Child Survival Project Newborn Health in Philippines, 
2011 


" 
,~ 
Economic oppression: While the government is mindful that BHWs are volunteers, it is 
unmindful that being a BHW is their bread and butter. Perforce, the nature of their work is full-
time. BHWs are receiving an allowance ranging from One Thousand Pesos (Pl,OOO.OO) to Six 
thousand Pesos (P6,OOO.OO). This allowance is their only source of living, sans fixed income, 
benefits and incentives. 
Human exploitation: 
It is uncontroverted fact that BHWs are the mercy of local 
government officials, due to the absence of security of tenure. Their continuous work is dependent 
on the political support they rendered to the incumbent official. BHW s are being temlinated 
whimsically and capriciously by the local officials when their political pledge belongs to another. 
In a sense thus, the present system allows them to be politicized. 
After 23 years of being caged in the shadows of volunteer ism, it is now high time to revisit 
and revise the existing law in order to make the BHW a key player towards the attainment of 
exclusive economic growth through sustainable human development. 
This legislation is a counterpart policy measured authored in the House of Representatives 
of Aug NARS Party-List headed by Representative Leal1 S. Paquiz. 
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. 2219 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
Seniti" 
(tfl,;. ,.1 tit_ .;r.mrl .. ~ 
'14 
MAY -8 P 2 :12 
RECEIVED BY:-f~ 
TO IMPROVE AND TO PROMOTE QUALITY DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES 
IN BARANGA YS, ENACTING THE 
"BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND SERVICES REFORM ACT OF 2014" 
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 Health Workers 
and Services Reform.Act of2014" 
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote a just ffild dynamic social order that will ensure prosperity and independence of the nation 
and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote 
full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. The State 
recognizes that quality health care services promote social justice in all phases of national 
development. 
The State further protects and promotes the right to health of the people and provides 
conditions of health empowerment, where each individual has access to information and services 
that will bring about health and well-being. Primary Health care is recognized as the major strategy 
towards health empowerment, emphasizing the need to provide accessible, available and 
affordable quality health services through community based participatory strategies. 
To this end, the government and all its instrumentalities recognize the economic and social 
rights ofbarangay health workers to just compensation, consistent with the principle of equal pay 
for equal work and work of equal value. 
SECTION 3. Definition ofterms.-
a.) Barangay Health Workers (BHW), is a support health workers in the barangay unit, as. 
defined and covered by rypublic Act (RA) 7305; 
b.) Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, as used in this Act, shall refer to RA 7305; 
. c.) Primary health Care (PHC), is essential health care made universally accessible to 
individuals and fmuilies in the in the community and country can afford to maintain at 
every stage mld at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every 
stage oftheir'development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination. It forms 


an integral part both of the country's health system, of which is the central function and 
main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community, 
characterized by partnership ad empowerment of the people by means acceptable to 
them, It is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and community with the 
national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people live 
and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care as close as 
possible to where people live and work, and constitute the first element of continuing 
health care process!; 
d.) Public Health Worker (PHW), as used in this Act, shall mean all persons who are 
engaged in health and health-related work, all persons employed in all hospitals, 
sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations, 
clinics and other health-related establishments owned and operated by the Government 
or its political subdivisions with original charters and shall include medical, allied 
health professional, administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their 
employment status, as pursuant to Sec. 3 of the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers. 
SECTION 4. Barangay Health Center (BHC). - There shall be one Barangay Health 
Center in every barangay unit, with the following basic and essential facilities and provisions: 
a.) Adequate lighting and ventilation; , 
b.) Adequate supply of portable water and electricity; 
c.) Floor Area of at least twenty (20) square meters; 
d.) Equipments including, but not limited to, blood pressure apparatus, dressing kit, over the 
, counter medicines, weighing scale for infants and adults, thermometers, standard operating 
procedure manual from the Department of Health (DOH), glucometer, and delivery kit; 
e.) Examining Area which must be enclosed, with bed, cabinet, foot stool and stool; 
f.) Toilet with sink and ruuning water; and, 
g.) Consultation Area with table, cabinet and two chairs. 
SECTION 5. Functions of the Barangay Health Center. - Each BHC shall have the 
following functions: 
a.) Delivers basic and primary care services for the community (e.g. immunization, prenatal 
check-up, check-up of well and ill infants etc,); 
b.,) Coordinates efforts and actions of the different members of health team; 
c.) Keeps records of health indices~ community profile, and other data; 
d.) Serves as ;m area of congregation for meetings of the health team; 
e.) Serves as tr[\ining of future and pre5'ent members of the health team: and 
f.) Assists and, coordinates with the respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and 
appropriate offices on first aid and procedures in disaster risk reduction. 
SECTION 6. 
Barangay Health Workers To Man Botika sa Barangay. When 
available and offered in the community especially in far-flung areas, the Barangay Health 
Workers shall man and operate" Botika sa Barangay " project or service. They shall likewise be 
given appropriate trainings by the Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration in 
full consultation with the relevant professional organizations and associations. 
SECTION 7. Referral System. - The BHC shall observe and follow the referral system 
framework of Primmy Health Care. 
SECTION 8. Barallgay Health Team Placement. - The BHC shall be composed of Nurse, 
Midwife, and BHW. The operation and functioning of the BHC shall be headed and supervised by 
a Nurse. 


• 
Each BI-IC shall be manned by a health team propOltionate with the existing population in the 
Barangay: 
a.) Nurse - There shall be at least one nurse for every barangay with a population not 
exceeding five thousand (5,000); 
b.) Midwife - There shall be at least one midwife for every barangay with a population not 
exceeding two thousand five hundred (2,500); 
c.) BHW - There shall be at least one BHW for every barangay with a population not 
exceeding five hundred (500). 
SECTION 9. BHW Qualifications. - (a) Any person who has completed the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) BHW program or undergone training 
specific for BHW by TESDA - accredited institution: Provided, that he or she has passed the 
training assessment and obtained the equivalent national certification. 
(b) All BHW, regardless of accreditation or registration status, who have served for at least 
two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act must undergo BHW assessment by TESDA -
accredited assessors and pass the equivalent national certification. Only those who has obtained 
the equivalent national certification shall be eligible for employment. 
SECTION 10. BHW: Hiring. - (a) The Local Government Selection and Promotion 
Board shall process the hiring of the Barangay Health Team personnel, pursuant to existing Civil 
Service rules, regulations, issuances and orders on placement and hiring. 
(b) All existing BHWs who has met the qualifications under Section 8 0 subparagraph (b) 
of this Act shall be given preference in hiring and priority in placement. 
SECTION 11. BHW: Duties aud Respousibilitics.-
a.) The BHW performs the following duties and responsibilities independently: 
1. Height and weight monitoring, and reporting the same to the BHC; 
2. Monitoring and follow-up defaulters, and reporting the same to the BHC; 
3. Reporting to the BHC any incidence of disease or any health cases in the community; 
4. Communicating and coordinating with the community to participate in BHC activities; 
5. Gathering data about the health of the community, filing, encoding, and reporting the 
same to the BI-IC; 
6. Administering first aid; 
7. Conducting health visits; and 
8. Responding in natural calamities and disasters. 
br) The BHW perfOlms the following duties and responsibilities assistive to the Barangay 
Health Team: 
1. Sputum collection; 
2. Identifying people with disease and sickness; 
3. Health community profiling; 
4. Psychosocial debriefing for stress and post - calamity initiatives; and 
5. Strengthening the health programs of the government. 
SECTION 12. BaW: Compensation. - The entry pay level of a BI-IW shall be the 
prevailing rate equivalent to Salary Grade One "SG 1 ". 


SECTION 13. BHW: Incentives and Benefits. - A BHW shall be entitled to the same 
incentives and benefits provided under the Magna Cmia for Public Health workers. Further, they 
shall be covered by the existing statutory benefits such as GSIS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig. 
Provided, that 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 it occurs in the duration 
of his service. Provided, further, that a regular adjustment in monetary and other non-monetary 
incentives shall be made to help improve the living condition of Barangay Health Workers. 
SECTION 14. Penal Provision. - Any person who violates the provisions of this act shall 
be criminally, civilly, and administratively liable. 
SECTION 15. Implementing Agencies. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this 
act, the TESDA and DOH, with the pm"ticipation of various health union representatives shall 
formulate, finalize and launch the BHW training program, assessment, and national certification 
program. 
The Department ofInterior and Local Government (DILG), LGUs, and other appropriate 
government agencies, with the participation of various health union representatives, shall 
formulate and provide effective mechanism for the selection and hiring ofBHWs. 
The Depmiment of Budget and Management (DBM), LGUs, and other appropriate 
government agencies, shall allocate necessary funds for compensation of the barangay health temn. 
SECTION 16. Transitory Provision. - Within one (1) year from effectivity of this act, 
the TESDA, DOH, DILG, and other concerned LGUs, shall allocate funds from their annual 
appropriations to immediately implement section 8 - subparagraph (b) and section 9 of this Act. 
SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity ofthis act, the TESDA, DOH, DILG, LGUs, in coordination and participation of various 
health union representatives, shall provide the Implementing Rules ad Regulations necessary to 
carry out the provisions of this Act. 
The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or in a 
newspaper of general circulation. 
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and operational. 
SECTION 19. 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, orders, circulars, issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 20. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,