SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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)
SEP 19 P5:;28
SENATE,
S B. No 
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Introduced by Senator M aria Lourdes Nancy S. Biiiay
AN ACT MAKING HEALTH CARE SERVICES ACCESSIBLE BY MANDATING THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE (1) HEALTH WORKER 
OR SUCH OTHER NECESSARY HEALTH PERSONNEL IN EVERY BARANGAY
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The fundamental right of our people to health is enshrined in our 1987 Philippine
nf r
 T r :  
" l5- Article 111 of 11,6 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes the
policy of the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them
Furthermore, Sectionl 1. Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states, thus;
Section 11. The State shall 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. There shall be priority for the 
needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State 
shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.
The need to provide accessible primary health care services to the people is fundamental 
towards ensunng the health empowerment of the people, especially those in far-flung 
communities who have no convenient access to health care providers. It is for this reason 
that this bill IS being proposed by mandating that at least one (1) health worker be provided in 
every barangay in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.
Senator
ES NANCY S. BLNAY


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
))
SENATE
S. B. No. I1R3
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of lhe(Jf'’<’rrrtatu
*16 SEP 19 P5:28
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J 
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K F ( i.j'v . i! RY;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT MAKING HEALTH CARE SERVICES ACCESSIBLE BY MANDATING THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE (I) HEALTH WORKER 
OR SUCH OTHER NECESSARY HEALTH PERSONNEL IN EVERY BARANGAY
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be U enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Confess 
assembled:
SECTION I. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Accessible Rural Health Care Act 
of 2016.”
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. 
The state shall promote the right to health of the people 
and to provide conditions for health empowerment and instill health consciousness among the 
people. To ensure this, the state shall make available and accessible to all people, particularly 
those in far flung communities, primary health care services.
SECTION 3. Provision of Health Workers and Other Health Personnel. There shall be in 
every barangay throughout the country at least one (1) health worker. The Secretary of the 
DOH may also designate such other health personnel in the barangay, in addition to the 
health worker, who shall work efficiently with the community.
The health worker or such other health personnel shall hold office at a designated health 
station within the barangay or at the barangay health center, if any. “Health worker” means a 
citizen of the Philippines who is a licensed medical practitioner. “Health personnel” means 
any person who shall possess the necessary professional qualifications to work efficiently to 
provide primary health care services in the barangay.
SECTION 4. Absence of Availability of Health Worker. In the absence of an available health 
worker, the Secretary of the DOH may:
1. Designate such other health personnel in the barangay; or
2. Call upon private volunteers who are responsible members of the community to provide 
medical services for the barangay.
SECTION 5. Programs and Services. The barangay health worker and/or health personnel 
shall offer primary health care services to member of the community free of charge. They 
shall also provide such other medical services and enact programs that will promote the


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health of the people within the community pursuant to rules and regulations nromuleated bv 
the DOH. 
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SECTION 6. Coordination with Barangay Health Volunteers. Such health worker or health 
personnel shall work closely with and coordinate with barangay “Health Volunteers” 
accredited pursuant to Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the Barangay Health 
Worker’s Benefit and Incentives Act of 1995.”
SECTION 7. Authority to Accept Donations. 
The DOH, through the Secretary of 
Department, may accept donations and grants, both domestic and foreign, for purposes of 
implementing the provisions of this Act. Such donations and grants shall be subject to 
pertinent accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
The DOH, in consultation with the 
Department of Interior and Local Government and other relevant government agencies, 
leagues of local government officials, non-governmental organizations, shall promulgate the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act within ninety (90) calendar days from the 
approval hereof.
SECTION 9. Appropriation. 
The amount of One Hundred Fifty Million Pesos 
(PI50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. 
Thereafter, the DOH shall include the amounts necessary for the implementation of this Act 
in its annual budgets.
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared void 
and unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not be affected by 
such declaration.
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other 
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,