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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse pio, _1283

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR R. DEFENSOR, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill entitled the “Barangay Workers Act” seeks to uplift the status and
work conditions of the Barangay Workers being the frontline government personnel
in the delivery of basic social services in the area of health, nutrition and child care.
The Barangay Workers are the Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition
Scholars, Barangay Day Care Workers and the Barangay Service Point Officers. They
are collectively referred to in this bill as Barangay Workers, Except for the Barangay
Nutrition Scholars, who are now referred to in the bill as Barangay Nutrition
Officers, the titles of the rest are maintained, as they have been customarily
designated.

The objectives of the bill are sought to be achieved by institutionalizing
through a piece of legislation the rights and welfare of the Barangay Workers. Wi
this end in view, the bill provides for an administrative development council at the
national and local levels for the formulation and implementation of policy and
regulation in pursuit of the rights and welfares of the Barangay Workers. Likewise,
it provides for Barangay Workers organization that shall serve as a forum for self-
determination and empowerment. The bill rests on the following policies:

(a) The State recognizes the barangay as the basic political unit that
plans for, and implements its policies, programs and projects, and
is committed to its full development as self-reliant communities
and effective partners in nation building;

(b) The vesting of duty, responsibility, and accountability in local
government units shall be accompanied by provision for
reasonably adequate resources to discharge their powers and
effectively carry-out their functions;

(©) The effective delivery of basic social services in areas of health,
nutrition and child care are essential for the full development of the
barangay as the basic political unit;


(a) The State recognizes the fundamental role of the Barangay Workers
who are at the forefront of the delivery of basic social services in
health, nutrition and child care, and shall ensure that their rights
and welfare are fully protected and promoted; and

(e) The welfare of Barangay Workers is the shared responsibility of the
National Government and the local government units, and shall be
pursued in line with the national convergence initiatives, and/or
similar programs of the government.

The basic strategy is the creation of administrative development councils at
the national and local levels for the formulation and implementation of policy and
regulation that will govern the Barangay Workers, while their basic rights are
provided by law. The bill creates the National Barangay Workers Council (NBWC)
at the national level, the Provincial Barangay Workers Council (PBWC) at the
provincial level, and the Municipal Barangay Workers Council (MBWC) at the
municipal level, Also, there is a City Barangay Workers Council for highly
urbanized cities (CBWC). The NBWC shall be akin to the National Tripartite Wage
Board for workers in the private sector, except that it shall not only formulate and
implement policy and regulation on compensation, but likewise in the area of,
among others, appointment, qualification, work conditions, training and social
benefits. It is meant to be a locally sensitive policy making body, taking into
consideration the peculiar conditions in every local government unit, and their
relative capacity to provide for sustainable compensation and benefits. ‘The
PBWC/CBWC and MBWC shall be recommendatory to the NBWC, and shalll play
an important role in the downstream supervision of the Barangay Workers.

The bill provides for institutional organization of the Barangay Workers, with
the creation of Barangay Workers assemblies. These barangay workers! assemblies
shall serve as primary organizations, with adequate financial support, for
coordinated implementation of the government programs on health, nutrition, child
care, and such other related social services, and as fora for protection of the rights
and promotion of the welfare of the Barangay Workers, On the one hand, Barangay
Workers’ boards are likewise created composed of the presidents of the respective
barangay workers! assemblies, as coordinating bodies to the PBWC/CBWC and
MBWC in policy and program formulation and recommendation.

At present the employment and service delivery of the Barangay Workers are
governed, at least in part, by scattered pieces of legislation. The Barangay Health
Workers are governed by Republic Act No. 7883, or “Barangay Health Workers
Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995”. The Barangay Nutrition Scholars, are governed
by Presidential Decree No. 1569, entitled “Strengthening the Barangay Nutrition
Program by Providing for a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in Every Barangay,
Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes’. The Barangay Day Care
Workers, are governed by Presidential Decree No. 1567, “Establishing a Day Care
Center in Every Barangay and Appropriating Funds Therefor’. While the Barangay


Service Point Officers are under Presidential Decree No. 79, the “Revised Population
Act of the Philippines”.

These scattered pieces of legislation, as they would provide for the Barangay
Workers, are rather outdated, and not as relevant as may be desired for more
effective and motivated delivery of basic services in the area of health, nutrition and
child care.

on

HON. ARTHUR R. DEFENSOR, JR.
3" District of lloilo


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 1283

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR R. DEFENSOR, JR.

THE BARANGAY WORKERS ACT

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

assembled.

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Barangay Workers Act”.

Section 2, Declaration of Policies. - It is declared that:

(a)

()

©)

(a)

The State recognizes the barangay as the basic political unit that
plans for, and implements its policies, programs and projects, and
is committed to its full development as self-reliant communities
and effective partners in nation building;

‘The vesting of duty, responsibility, and accountability in local
government units shall be accompanied by provision for
reasonably adequate resources to discharge their powers and
effectively carry-out their functions;

The effective delivery of basic social services in areas of health,
nutrition and child care are essential for the full development of
the barangay as the basic political unit;

The State recognizes the fundamental role of the Barangay Workers
who are at the forefront in the delivery of the basic services in
health, nutrition and child care, and shall ensure that their rights
and welfare are fully protected and promoted; and

‘The welfare of Barangay Workers is the shared responsibility of the
National Government and the local government its, and shall be
pursued in line with the national convergence initiatives, and/or
similar programs of the government.



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Section 3. Objectives. - This Act has the following objectives:

(a)

(b)

©)

To institutionalize the status of Barangay Workers, by establishing
their rights, and providing for their welfare;

To provide an administrative development council at the national
and local levels for the formulation and implementation of policy
and regulation in pursuit of the rights and welfare of the Barangay
Workers;

To provide for organizations that shall serve as fora self-
determination and empowerment.

Section 4. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act:

(a)

(b)

()

(a)

“Barangay Worker/workers” refers to individuals duly appointed
as Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Day Care Workers,
Barangay Nutrition Officers, and Barangay Service Point Officers,
who provide health, nutrition , day care, and other related social
services in the barangays;

“Barangay Health Worker” refers to a barangay based worker
appointed and accredited by the government, has undergone the
required training in accordance with law and regulations, and
responsible for primary health care services in the barangay;

“Barangay Nutrition Officer” refers to a barangay based worker
appointed and accredited by the government, has undergone the
required training in accordance with law and regulations, and
responsible for delivering nutrition and related services in the
barangays;

“Barangay Day Care Worker” refers to a barangay based worker
appointed and accredited by the government, has undergone the
required training in accordance with law and regulations, and
responsible for the operation of day care centers in the barangays;
and

“Barangay Service Point Officer” refers to a barangay based
worker appointed and accredited by the government, has
undergone the required training in accordance with law and
regulations, and responsible for the implementation of
reproductive health care and population management programs,
including the gathering of data, of the government in the
barangays,


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Section 5.

rights of Barangay Workers:

(a)

(b)

(©)

(a)

(e)

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(8)

Security of Tenure - Barangay workers shall have security of
tenure, and shall continue to serve unless removed in accordance
with civil service laws;

Right to Compensation ~ Barangay workers shall have the right to a
just compensation for services rendered;

Right to Administrative and Logistical Support. - Barangay
Workers shall have the right to the necessary administrative and
logistical support for the effective performance of their functions;

Right to Training - Barangay Workers shall have the right to
training for accreditation under the relevant government programs;

Right to Health Services - Barangay Workers shall have the right to
health services, including entitlement to full coverage in
government health insurance programs;

Right to government scholarship - Barangay Workers, including
their legitimate spouses and dependents shall have the right to
financially assisted education in State colleges and universities; and

Right to Organize - Barangay Workers shall have the right to
organize to protect their rights and promote their welfare.

Rights of Barangay Workers. - The State guarantees the following

Section 6.

National Barangay Workers Council, - There is hereby created the

National Barangay Workers Council (NBWC), which shall be attached to the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for policy and. program
coordination, composed of the Secretary of the DILG as ex-officio chairman, the
Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), the Secretary of the Department of
Social Services and Development (DSWD), the National President of the League of

Provinces, and the National President of the League of Citi

Section 7.

‘The NBWC shall have the following powers and functio

Powers and Functions of the National Barangay Workers Council. -

(a) Toactas a national consultative and advisory body to the President
and Congress on matters relating to barangay health, nutrition, day
care, and other related social services;

()

To formulate and/or approve policies and regulations on the
employment and functions of the Barangay Workers in the
following area:


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(1)

(2)

3)

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6)

(6)

Appointment; Provided that - a Barangay Worker shall be
appointed by the NBWC, upon the recommendation of
the Provincial /City Barangay Workers Council;

Qualification; Provided that - a Barangay Workers should
be a bona fide resident of the barangay for at least one
year before appointment, and shall have undergone the
required training;

Compensation; Provided that - compensation for the
barangay workers shall be established by the local
barangay workers councils, subject to the approval of the
NBWC, and shall be adequate as economically feasible
to support standards of living necessary for the health
and general well-being of the Barangay Workers, within
the context of the nature of services rendered, and as
economically viable as the government can sustain;
Provided further that - compensation of the Barangay
Workers shall be appropriated from the funds of the
respective provinces, municipalities, barangays, and the
Departments under which they perform their respective
functions, under a sharing scheme as may be determined
by the NBWC;

Working Conditions; Provided that - administrative and
logistical support for the Barangay Workers shall be a
shared responsibility of logistical, and provided by, the
National Government, the province, the municipality and
the barangays;

Training; Provided that - training of Barangay Workers
shall be undertaken by the concerned Department, and in
accordance with the relevant government programs on
health, nutrition, child care, and such other related social
services; and

Social Benefits; Provided that - Barangay Workers shall
be entitled to the benefits granted to barangay officials
under Secton 393 (b) (2), (4) and (5) of Republic Act No.
7160; Provided further that ~ Barangay Workers shall be
enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program as
instituted by Republic Act No. 7875, and_ the premium.
and standard monthly contributions shall be paid by the
National Government and local government units in
accordance with a sharing scheme as may be determined
by the NBWC; Provided finally that - Barangay Workers



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shall be given preferential access to credit granted under
the relevant programs of government _ finance
institutions,

(c) To undertake studies and surveys, and to collect data on health,
nutrition, day care, and other related social services in the
barangays, necessary for the attainment of its functions and
objectives, and to support the data requirements of the
government;

(d) To review and approve the programs of the local barangay
workers councils, consistent with national development plans;

(©) To call, from time to time, national conferences of Barangay
Workers; and

(8 To exercise technical, administrative and operational supervision
over the Provincial/City Barangay Workers Councils; and

(g) To exercise such powers and functions, as may be necessary to
implement this Act.

The NBWC shall be assisted by a Secretariat to be headed by an Executive
Director and two (2) Deputy Directors, who shall be appointed by the President of
Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG.

‘The Executive Director shall have the same rank, salary benefits and other
emoluments as that of the Department Assistant Secretary, while the Director shall
have the same rank, salary, benefits and other emoluments as that of a Bureau
Director.

Section 8. Provincial Barangay Workers Council. - There is hereby created the
Provincial Barangay Workers Council (PBWC/s), and the City Barangay Workers
Council (CBWC/s) in the case of highly urbanized cities, composed of the Provincial
Governor/City Mayor, as ex-officio chairman, the Provincial/City Health Officer, the
Provincial/City Social Welfare and Development Officer, the Provincial Chapter
President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines and the Provincial/City
Chairman of the Liga ng Barangay, which shall exercise the following powers and
functions:

(a) To formulate policies and programs, recommendatory to the
NBWG, on the employment and work conditions of the Barangay
Workers, and such other areas consistent with, and in pursuit of,
the mandate of the NWBC;

(b) To exercise administrative and operational supervision over the


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Municipal Barangay Workers Councils; without prejudice to the
power of supervision of the Province/City over the
Municipality/Barangay under Republic Act No.7160; and

(©) To organize and convene the Provincial/City Barangay Workers
Assembly.

Section 9, Municipal Barangay Workers Council - There is hereby created the
Muneipal Barangay Workers Council (MWBC/s), composed of the Municipal
Mayor, as ex-officio chairman, the Rural Health Officer, the Municipal Social
Welfare and Development Officer, and the Municipal President of the Liga ng
Barangay, which shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To formulate policies and programs, recommendatory to PBWC, on
the employment and work conditions of the Barangay Workers,
and such other areas consistent with, and in pursuit of, the
mandate of the NWBC;

(b) To exercise administrative and operational supervision over the
Punong Barangays in the implementation of the government
programs on health, nutrition, child care, and such other related
basic social services by the Barangay Workers, without prejudice to
the power of supervision on the Municipality over the Barangay
under Republic Act. No. 7160; and

(©) Toorganize and convene the Barangay Workers Assembly.

Section 10. Municipal Barangay Workers Assembly. -- There shall be in each
municipality/city a Municipal/City Barangay Health Officers Assembly
(MBHOA/CBHOA), Municipal/City Barangay Nutrition Officers Assembly
(MBNOA/CBNOA), Municipal/City Barangay Day Care Workers Assembly
(MBDCWA/CBDCWA) and Municipal/City Barangay Service Point Officers
Assembly (MBSPOA/CBSPOA), which shall serve as primary organizations for the
implementation of the government programs on health, nutrition, child care, and
such other related social services, and for the protection of the rights and promotion
of the welfare of the Barangay Workers. Such municipal/city barangay workers!
assemblies shall each have a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and
shall have the power to formulate its constitution and by-laws to govern its
functions and activities.

Section 11. Municipal Barangay Workers Board. - Each municipality/city
shall have a Municipal/City Barangay Workers Board (MBWB/CBWB), composed
of the Presidents of the respective municipal/city barangay workers! assemblies, and
shall be convened by the MBWC/CBWC for policy and program recommendation,
without prejudice to the power of the MBWC/CBWC to convene and/or organize
the totality of Barangay Workers of the municipality city in pursuit of its functions.



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Section 12. Provincial Barangay Workers Assembly. - There shall be in each
Province a Provincial Barangay Health Officers Assembly (PBHOA), Provincial
Barangay Nutrition Officers Assembly (PBNOA), Provincial Barangay Day Care
Workers Assembly (PDCWA) and Provincial Barangay Service Point Officers
Assembly (PBSPAO), which shall be composed of the respective municipal barangay
workers’ assemblies. Each of the provincial barangay workers! assembly shall
organize and shall have a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and
shall have the power to formulate its constitution and by-laws to govern its
functions, in coordination with their respective municipal counterparts.

Section 13. Provincial Barangay Workers Board ~ There shall be a Provincial
Barangay Workers Board (PBWB) or City Barangay Workers Board (CBWB), in the
case of highly urbanized cities, composed of the Presidents of the respective
provincial/city barangay workers! assemblies, and shall be convened by the
PBWC/CBWC for policy and program recommendation, without prejudice to the
power of the PBWC/CBWC to convene and/or organize the totality of Barangay
Workers of the province in pursuit of its functions,

Section 14. Funding Requirements, - The funding requirements for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the National Government,
except as otherwise provided herein; Provided that - the NBWC shall be funded by
the member Departments, the PBWC/CBWC and PBWB/CBWB, by the concerned
province/city, the PBHOA/CBHOA, PBNOA/CBNOA, PDCWA/CDCWA and
PBSPOA/CBSPOA, by the concerned province/city and Liga ng Barangay, the
MBWB, by the concerned municipality and Liga ng Barangay.

Section 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations,
other issuances or parts thereof which are consistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly; Provided that- nothing in this Act shall be taken
to diminish benefits for Barangay Workers provided under existing laws.

Section 16, Separability Clause, - If, for any reason, any section or provision
of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions
not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 17. Effectivity . - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.