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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1785

Introduced by Rep. Edwin Ongchuan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are indispensable partners in the delivery of primary
health care services in the Philippines. They serve as the community's first line of defense
in health promotion, disease prevention, maternal and child care, immunization
campaigns, health education, and public health surveillance, especially in rural, remote,
and underserved areas where access to formal health facilities is limited.

Republic Act No. 7883, or the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of
1995, formally recognized the service and contributions of BHWs, providing for their
accreditation and granting them basic incentives. However, despite their critical role,
many BHWs continue to serve on a voluntary basis and in many cases, they lack
guaranteed access to health insurance coverage themselves—even as they are tasked
with promoting health and wellness among the people they serve.

Under Republic Act No. 7875, as amended by Republic Act No. 10606 or the National
Health Insurance Act of 2013 and Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as the
Care Act of 2019, the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) aims
nos, with the State subsidizing premiums for indigents and other
vulnerable groups through the Sponsored Program. However, there is currently no
national legal requirement that Local Government Units (LGUs) automatically include
Barangay Health Workers as sponsored members. Instead, the decision to sponsor their
premiums is often left to the discretion of individual LGUs, resulting in unequal coverage
across the country.

This proposed measure seeks to close the policy gap by amending RA 7883 to include a
clear requirement for all LGUs to allocate funds and ensure payment of PhilHealth
premiums for all accredited Barangay Health Workers within their jurisdictions. By
ensuring BHWs are covered as sponsored members of PhilHealth, we guarantee them
access to necessary health services under the "No Balance Billing” policy in government
facilities.

Ensuring that BHWs have reliable health insurance is not just a matter of social justice
but of sound public health strategy. By protecting the health and well-being of those who
care for our communities, we strengthen our primary health care system and help realize
the goals of universal health care for all Filipinos.

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

Representative
Second District, Northem Samar

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DATE _July 10, 2025

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1785

Introduced by Rep. Edwin C. Ongchuan

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS’ BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995,”
TO PROVIDE FOR MANDATORY SPONSORSHIP OF PHILHEALTH PREMIUM
CONTRIBUTIONS BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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’
Benefits and Incentives Act of 2025”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
strengthen primary health care delivery by promoting the welfare of Barangay Health
Workers (“BHWs"). In recognition of their essential role, the State shall ensure that
accredited BHWs have guaranteed access to health services through enrollment as
‘sponsored members of the National Health Insurance Program (“NHIP") administered by
PhilHealth.

SECTION 3. A new section is hereby added after Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7883, to
read as follows:

“SECTION 6-A - Mandatory Sponsorship of PhilHealth Premium
Contributions.

All Local Government Units (LGUs)—including provinces, cities,
municipalities, and barangays—are hereby mandated to allocate funds and
ensure the payment of PhilHealth premium contributions for all accredited
Barangay Health Workers within their jurisdiction.

Such Barangay Health Workers shall be enrolled as sponsored members of
the National Health Insurance Program in accordance with Republic Act No.
7875, as amended by Republic Act No. 10606 (National Health Insurance
Act of 2013), and Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act of
2019).

For purposes of this section, accredited Barangay Health Workers shall
refer to those recognized under Section 3 of this Act and its implementing
rules and regulations.”


SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions
of this Act.

SECTION 5. Appropriations - The necessary funds for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the annual budgets of LGUs. For LGUs with limited fiscal capacity,
national government assistance or cost-sharing mechanisms may be provided, subject to
existing budgeting laws and guidelines.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause ~ Existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publi
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,