Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3511

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to available data, there are only 0.2 physicians, 0.4 nurses, and 1.7 midwives
for every 10,000 members of the population in the Philippines. These numbers are ten times
less than the recommended ratio set by the World Health Organization. Because of the
dwindling number of health workers in the Philippines, the Barangay Health Workers have
become such an important contributor to help mitigate the lack of workforce in the health
sector. These Barangay Health Workers are being utilized more and more in order to provide
health services in rural and remote areas. However, there exists no measure that ensures that
all Barangays are covered.

Itis the role of the State to find the means to deliver health services and its accessibility.
‘Thus, it is our imperative duty as legislators to ensure the full and functional delivery of health
services for the whole country, in order to comply with the mandate of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution that guarantees the protection and promotion of the health of its citizens.

This proposed measure shall provide at least one (1) Barangay Health Worker in every
barangay throughout the country after proper accreditation with the local health board.
Furthermore, barangay health workers will be entitled to allowances and other benefits
accorded to appointed barangay officials. More importantly, our faithful barangay health
workers will be accorded with security of tenure.

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

orntt—

SOL Al ONES
3° District, Laguna


Aue One

20
21
2
23
4
25

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones

AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN
EVERY BARANGAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 7160,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991,
FURTHER EXPANDING THE BENEFITS OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Health
Workers Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987
Constitution, the State hereby declares the policy of according utmost importance to the health
needs of the nation and shall henceforth endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. Toward this end, the State shall
ensure that accessible and quality health services are extended to each individual through the
barangay health workers as the primary channel for implementing the State’s health policies
down to the barangay health needs, the State shall guarantee the appointment of a health worker
in every barangay as frontline health workers.

SECTION 3. Coverage. — The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to all
barangay health workers accredited to act as such by the local health board in accordance with
guidelines issued by the Department of Health (DOH). For the purposes of this Act, the team
barangay health worker shall refer to a person who has undergone training program under any
accredited government or non-government organization primarily to render health care

services.


awe

SECTION 4. Section 287 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 as amended, shall be further amended to read as follows:

“Section 287. Chief Officials and Officers. (a) There shall be in each barangay a
punong barangay, seven (7) sangguniang barangay members, the sangguniang kabataan
chairman, a barangay secretary, [and] a barangay treasurer, AND AT LEAST FIVE (5)
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS PROVIDED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS PER BARANGAY SHALL IN NO CASE BE
MORE THAN 1% OF THE BARANGAY’S TOTAL POPULATION.”

SECTION 5. A new provision shall be inserted between Sections 395 and 396 of the

‘same Act to be denominated as Section 395-A, which shall read as folows:

“SECTION 395-A. APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS OF BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS—THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER AS ACCREDITED
AND RECOMMENDED BY THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY HEALTH BOARD IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND BENEFITS
ACT OF 1995, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY MAYOR OF
THE AREA WHERE SUCH BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER WILL BE
APPOINTED IS LOCATED. A BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO ALLOWANCES AND SUCH OTHER BENEFITS TO WHICH
OTHER APPOINTED BARANGAY OFFICIALS MAY BE ENTITLED TO NO
PERSON DULY APPOINTED AS BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER SHALL BE
REMOVED EXCEPT FOR VALID CAUSE AS PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING
CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND ONLY AFTER DUE NOTICE
AND HEARING.”

SECTION 6. Section 393, paragraphs (a) and (b) of the Local Governmen Code of the

Philippines, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“Section 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials. —

a. Barangay Officials, including barangay tanods and members of the
lupong tagapamayapa, shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments
as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal, or city ordinance in accordance

with the provisions of this Code, but in no case shall it be less than One Thousand Pesos


19
20

2
2

23
24

25

(P1,000.00) per month for the punong barangay and six hundred pesos (P600.00) per
month for the sangguniang barangay members, treasurers, [and] barangay secretary,
AND BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS: Provided, however that the annual
appropriations for personal services shall be subject to the budgetary limitations
perscribed under Title Five, Book II of this Code; PROVIDED FURTHERMORE,
THAT THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS CODE SHALL BE WITHOUT
PREJUDICE TO THE APPLICATION OF AND ENTITLEMENT TO THEIR
INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AS MAY BE
PROVIDED BY LAW SUCH AS REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6492 AND REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS AND INCENTIVES ACT.

b. The punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the
treasurer, [and] the barangay secretary AND THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER
shall also: xxx
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Interior and

Local Government, in coordination with the Civil Service Commission, shall within ninety
days (90) days from the enactment of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary

for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts thereof

inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act declared invalid

or unconstitutional, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full effect and force.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately after its complete

publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.