Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE 01 JUL 2025
Quezon City TIME 2:
BY [od

‘Twentieth Congress

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 891

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the Constitution, the State is mandated to adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development with the goal of making essential goods,
health, and other social services available to all its citizens at an affordable cost.

Our Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) play a critical role in the advancement of the
country’s health and human development agenda. They serve as frontline providers of health
services at the grassroots level and act as health educators, community organizers, and
primary care providers within their communities. In light of the recognized lack of doctors in
rural areas, BHWs are often relied upon to deliver essential health information, to administer
first aid and preventive care, and respond during emergencies and calamities.

Their invaluable contributions were especially evident during the COVID-19
pandemic, and even beyond, they continue to play a critical role in ensuring that primary
healthcare services are available to all. However, despite their indispensable role, our BHWs
remain overworked and undercompensated. As a result, many of them are compelled to leave
the country in search of better opportunities, contributing to the ongoing shortage of health
workers in the country.

This proposed measure seeks to increase the incentives and benefits granted to
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in recognition of their unwavering commitment in
delivering health services, particularly in the remote and rural areas. Moreover, this bill seeks
to promote the right of BHWs to fair and just compensation through the provision of
reasonable incentives and benefits. Furthermore, the bill provides BHWs with insurance
coverage under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS).



This measure aims to encourage more individuals to serve as BHWs in their
communities, which will contribute to the effective and efficient delivery of quality healthcare
services in the country.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

|AND\L. HE! NDEZ

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 891

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS.

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 "Magna Carta of Barangay
Health Workers"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development, and pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to make essential
goods, healthcare and other social services available to all the people. In line with the
country’s commitment to accomplish health indicator targets under United Nations
sustainable development goals, the State shall adopt policies that promote the welfare and
well-being of barangay health workers who are at the forefront of the delivery of health care
at the grassroots level, and effectively harness their potential as partners in development.

SEC. 3. Definition. ~ As used in this Act, the term “barangay health worker” refers to
a person who has undergone training under any accredited government or non-government
organization (NGO), and who voluntarily renders primary healthcare services in the
community after having been accredited to function as such by the local health board.

SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all barangay health workers (BHWs) as
defined under Section 3 of this Act: Provided, That all incentives and benefits granted under
this Act shall extend only to duly accredited BHWs, who have undergone at least two (2)
years of training: Provided, however, That duly registered barangay health workers shall be
entitled to a monthly honoraria and hazard allowance as provided in Sec. 9 herein: Provided,
further, That when the BHW receives a fixed salary under a permanent appointment in any
government office, by election to another public office or by employment in the private

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sector, coverage under this Act shall automatically cease and the BHW shall be covered under
applicable laws.

SEC. 5. Registration. — All BHWs shall be registered with the local health board in the
city or municipality in which they render service. Registered BHWs shall be given
appropriate proof of said registration.

The municipal and city health offices shall regularly update and maintain the BHW
Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation. The BHW Registry shall be subject to
the approval of the municipal or city health board. The local health offices shall submit a
copy of the updated and duly approved registry to the Provincial Health Office for
consolidation and validation with the assistance of the Provincial BHW Federation, which
shall also be subject to the approval of the Provincial Health Board. The Provincial BHW
Registry shall be posted in the municipal or city bulletin board and barangay health centers.

‘The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every year
to the Department of Health (DOH) at the regional and national levels for consolidation. The
DOH is hereby mandated to maintain a national registry of BHWs

In order to qualify for registration, a Barangay Health Worker must

(a) Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and
satisfactorily for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the
filing of application for registration in the barangay as recommended by the Rural
Health Midwife (RHM) or public health nurse assigned to the barangay and by the
head of the barangay health 6 workers association and certified by the
Sangguniang Barangay;

(b) Have completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed by the
DOH and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-recognized
academic institution, or (NGO);

(c) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing of the application for
registration; and

(4) Be physically and mentally fit.

It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation with the
Provincial Health Office and the DOH, to provide BHW applicants basic orientation and
training within six (6) months from the date of approval of their application.

SEC. 6, Accreditation. - To further professionalize the health care services rendered by
the BHWs and ensure the health and welfare of the community, a duly registered BHW must
be accredited by the municipal or city health board

‘The municipal or city health board shall issue a certificate of accreditation to
qualified BHWs. In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must:

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(a) Be registered in accordance with Section 5 hereof,
(b) Have satisfactorily undertaken the role of a BHW in the locality as provided for in

Section 7 hereof, for at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory service
immediately prior to the filing of application for accreditation;

(c) Have completed a regular training program on health care service and
community-based health program in order to upgrade and develop the skills and
competency required of a BHW. The training program shall be institutionalized by
the DOH, in cooperation with local government units (LGUs).

It shall be the duty of the municipal or city government, as the case maybe, in
cooperation 30 with the provincial government and DOH, to provide the applicant
BHWs the necessary support and opportunities for accreditation. A BHW must
complete the regular training program on health care service and
community-based health program within five (5) years from registration.

‘The municipal and city health boards or through their registration and accreditation
committee shall act on the applications for accreditation of BHWs not later than thirty (30)
days from the date of application.

The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is accessible
to the general public

SEC. 7. Roles, and Duties and Responsibilities of Barangay Health Workers. - As one
of the key partners in a reformed health care delivery system, the DOH and LGUs shall
support BHWs as they perform the following roles:

(a) Advocate - to support, promote and champion current health programs, projects,
and activities to improve access to quality health services towards the improved
health status of the community;

(b) Educator - to guide and advise the community on the current DOH and health
priorities of LGUs such as the importance of a birth plan and facility-based
delivery in reducing maternal and infant deaths; newborn screening for the early
detection of congenital metabolic disorders which may leads to mental retardation
and even death, among others;

(c) Disseminator - to maintain regular communication with local professional health
workers on health events and updates and concerns relevant to the community and
inform the same to the community for appropriate action, if necessary;

(d) Linker - to facilitate access to any group or association of the community with a
relevant network of or specific health and non-health service providers;

(e) Record Keeper - to maintain updated records of health data, health activities and
events in the community;

(f) Health Care Service Provider ~ to assist and provide basic health care services as
may be needed in the community in any health event

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The BHW shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Height and weight monitoring, and reporting the same to the barangay;

(b) Monitoring and following up of defaulted cases of immunization, family
planning, tuberculosis compliance to treatment and others, and reporting
the same to the barangay;

(c) Reporting to the barangay any incidence of disease or any health cases in
the community;

(d) Communicating and coordinating with the community to participate in
barangay health center activities;

(e) Gathering of data about overall status of health of the community;

(f) Administering first aid;

(g) Conducting health visits;

(h) Conducting birth planning for pregnant women:

(i) Conducting health education;

) Strengthening referral systems;

(k) Collecting sputum;

(I) Identifying people with disease and sickness;

(m)Community health profiling;

(n) Psychosocial debriefing for stress and post-calamity initiatives;

(0) Responding in natural calamities and disasters: and

(p) Coordinating closely with the local government health officer in the
implementation of health programs in the locality.

SEC. 8, Number of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). ~ Subject to relevant laws,
and in coordination with relevant government agencies and respective local government units,
the number of BHWs in every barangay shall be guided by and based on the particular need
of the barangay for BHW services.

The DOH shall determine the ideal ratio of barangay health workers to the number of
households: Provided, That the total number of barangay health workers nationwide shall not
be less than one percent (1%) of the total population.

‘The residents of the barangay must be given preference in the employment of BHWs.

SEC. 9. Incentives and Benefits. - All accredited BHWs who are actively and regularly
performing their duties and responsibilities shall be entitled to the following incentives and
benefits:

(a) Monthly Honoraria in the amount of not less than Three thousand pesos
(P3,000.00), subject to adjustment based on the prevailing market value;

(b) Hazard Allowance in an amount to be determined by the local health board of
LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than One thousand pesos
(P1,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations;

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(c) Subsistence Allowance equivalent to the meals they take in the course of their

duty, which shall be computed in accordance with prevailing conditions as
determined by the LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than One
hundred pesos (P100.00) per day: Provided, That the accredited BHW shall render
service within the premises of isolated barangay health stations in order to make it
available at any and all times;

(d) Transportation Allowance of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per

month, subject to auditing rules and regulations, on the condition that the
availment of transportation services are in line with the performance of the BHW’s
official duties and responsibilities;

(e) One-time Gratuity Cash Incentive of not less than Ten thousand pesos

(f)

(P10,000.00) in recognition of the BHW’s loyalty and dedication and for having
continuously and satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years;

Discount Privileges for BHWs. - All BHWs shall be entitled to twenty percent
(20%) discount on all the items enumerated under Section 4(a) of Republic Act
No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010:

Provided, That the privileges shall not be claimed if the BHW is eligible for a
higher discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or other
existing laws.

The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this section
as tax deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: Provided,
That the discount shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income for the
same taxable year that the discount is granted: Provided further, That the total
amount of the claimed tax deduction net of VAT, if applicable, shall be included in
their gross sales receipt for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper
documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of
1997, as amended.

(g) Training, Education, and Career Enrichment Programs. - The DOH shall, in

coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), DOH-recognized academic institutions, other concerned agencies and
non-government organizations, provide information on and opportunities for
education and career enrichment for accredited BHWs, such as the following:

(1) Educational programs which credit the years of primary health care service
of the BHW towards higher education completion in institutions with
stepladder curricula, thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and
knowledge for community work or to pursue further training as midwives,
pharmacists, nurses or doctors;

(2) Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field immersion,
scholarships; and

(3) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster
preparedness and other programs that address emergent community health
problems and issues.

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(h) Health Benefits. - During their incumbency, all BHWs are entitled to the
following health benefits:

(1) Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses, medicines,
x-ray and other laboratory fees, when confined in any public hospital or
health institution;

(2) Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of the barangay concerned, for
expenses incurred in the nearest private hospital or clinic in case of
extreme emergency 8 where there is no available public hospital;

(3) Mandatory and immediate membership in the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (Philhealth) as indirect contributors.

(i) Insurance Coverage. - All BHWs shall be granted insurance coverage and benefits
from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne by the
LGU concemed. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit package
suited to the needs and status of BHWs;

(j) Sick and Maternity Leaves. — All BHWs shall be entitled to sick and maternity
leaves as prescribed by the Local Health Board: Provided, That, the BHWs shall
continue to receive their monthly honoraria while on leave, for such period in
accordance with existing laws and practices,

(k) Cash Gift — All accredited BHWs are entitled to cash gift of not less than the
minimum monthly honoraria to be given every December from the general fund of the
barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national government for the
Purpose;

(1) Disability Benefit — An accredited BHW who sustains injury or sickness in the
course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two thousand pesos
(P2,000.00) for every year of service;

(m) Civil Service Eligibility. — A second grade eligibility shall be granted to
accredited BHWs who have rendered five (5) years continuous service as such
Provided, That, should a BHW become a regular employee of the government, the
total numbers of years served as such shall be credited to the BHWs service in
computing the retirement benefits:

(n) Free Legal Services. - Legal representation and consultation services shall be
immediately provided by the Public Attomey’s Office to an accredited BHW in cases
of coercion, interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against
BHWs arising out of or in connection with the performance of their duties as such:

(0) Preferential Access to Loan. - The DOH in coordination with other concerned
government agencies shall provide, within One hundred eighty (180) days afer the
effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide BHWs organized access to loan
services. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one percent (1%) of their
loanable funds for organized BHW groups that have community-based income
generating projects in support of health programs or activities.

Notwithstanding the limitations under this section, all registered BHWs shall be
entitled to monthly honoraria and hazard allowance.

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The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to BHWs
not otherwise provided by law.

SEC. 10. Annual Review. ~ The local health boards shall conduct an annual review of
the BHW program, performance, as well as the benefits. incentives and allowances
enumerated in the immediately preceding Section taking into consideration the current
consumer price index as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

SEC. 11. Discrimination Prohibited. ~ Discrimination against any BHW by reason of
gender, civil status, creed, religious, or political beliefs and ethnic groupings in the exercise of
their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.

SEC. 12. Protection of BHWs. - No accredited BHW shall be removed except for a
valid cause as determined by the Local Health Board (LHB). The LHB shall resolve
termination cases against BHWs judiciously and not later than ninety (90) days from the
receipt of a complaint: Provided, That if a BHW is found to be unjustly removed from
service, the BHW shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of benefits and incentives
from the time of termination up to the time of reinstatement.

SEC. 13. Grievance Mechanism. ~ The LHB shall establish a grievance mechanism as
a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged acts of discrimination and unjust
removal from the service. The decisions rendered by the LHB shall be final and executory.

SEC. 14. Municipal, City, Provincial, and National Federation of BHWs. — There
shall be an organization of accredited BHWs for the purpose of electing the municipal, city,
provincial, and national-level federation in order to ventilate, articulate, and crystalize issues
affecting health care delivery system and with utmost regard to service to patients and the
continuous operation of barangay health services in the interest of public health, safety, or
survival of patients

The BHW federation for municipalities, cities, and provinces shall elect their
respective local federation boards of directors, and a set of national officers to comprise the
national board of directors to be headed by a president. A Secretary-General shall be chosen
from among the national federation members to manage the day-to-day operation and
activities of the federation. The respective boards of directors may create such other positions
as may be necessary for the management of the affairs of the local and national federation

SEC. 15. Representation in the Local Health Board und Primary Health Care
Provider Network. — The President of the municipal or city federation of BHWs shall be a
member of the municipal or city local health board. The respective presidents of the
federation of BHWs of each city and municipality federation of a province shall elect from
among themselves their representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That the

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BHW representatives to the local health boards shall not be allowed to vote on the
registration, accreditation, and disciplinary or removal complaints of BHWs

The BHWs shall also be part of the health care provider network, in the
implementation of health care services and programs.

SEC. 16. Prohibition from Engaging in Partisan Political Activity. - No BHW shall
engage in any partisan political activity.

SEC. 17. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. - The DOH shall conduct
continuous capacity building for BHWs that will enhance and upgrade their knowledge and
skills through various forms including online learning and multimedia in major Philippine
dialects

The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and other concemed agencies, assist the
LGUs in the development of education modules or materials to promote the collective
experiences and learnings of BHWs as well as to promote traditional and complementary
medicine

The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their BHWs and
other health workers in coordination with the TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concemed.

The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs that will allow
them to benefit from the ladderized training as provided under Republic Act No. 10968,
otherwise known as the Philippine Qualification Framework Act, and Republic Act No.
10647, otherwise known as the Ladderized Education Act of 2014, including academic credits
for health-related courses.

SEC. 18. Observance of BHW Day. ~ Every barangay shall commemorate BHW Day
during April 7 of every year in recognition of the service of Barangay Health Workers, their
heroic services in times of crises, and their indispensable role in promoting health and
wellness among the citizenry.

The DOH, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) and all local government units shall hold simple ceremonies or activities to highlight
the indispensable role of BHWs in nation-building.

SEC. 19. Penalty Clause. - Any local government official who violates any provision
of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with law.

SEC. 20. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment of the LGUs, other local funds, the
special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the “Universal Health
Care Act”

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SEC. 21. Jmplementing Rules and Regulation. - The DOH and the DILG shall, in
consultation with the DepEd, CSC, GSIS, and other concerned government agencies and non
governmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act not later
than One hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 22. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. - - Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the
“Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby repealed. All
laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or amended or accordingly.

SEC. 24. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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