TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​
) 
First Regular Session​
​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 3526
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people as ingrained 
in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Hence, it is a must for the government to be 
able to provide equitable and efficient access to health services starting at the 
base level of the community, the barangay. However, there is a disparity 
regarding the distribution of healthcare facilities across the country, with 
barangay health centers (BHCs) being concentrated often in urban areas. This 
results in limited access to healthcare services for citizens residing in 
geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. 
In fact, of the 42,011 barangays recorded by the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government as of March 2025, there are only 26,500 barangay health 
centers recorded by the Department of Health nationwide.1 This means that 
15,511 or 36.92% of barangays do not have BHCs. This significant gap is a 
reflection of how access to primary healthcare in the country remains highly 
inequitable. This may be due to several challenges including inefficiency in 
implementing universal health care, misprioritization of funding, and insufficient 
healthcare workers. 
In the City of Taguig, all 38 barangays, including the EMBO barangays, have 
access to a BHC, reflecting the City’s continued commitment to making 
healthcare facilities accessible to all its constituents. The medical personnel, 
especially Barangay Health Workers stationed in these facilities, are formally 
employed, receive regular salary, and enjoy numerous benefits, including 
performance incentive bonuses, training, overtime pay, and hazard pay, among 
others. This serves as a clear example that accessible healthcare in the country 
is feasible. 
This measure seeks to help build a world class primary health care system 
throughout the country by mandating every barangay in the Philippines to 
establish a Barangay Health Center in three (3) years’ time where it must be 
equipped with the following: (a) a health care center/station; (b) healthcare 
workers, doctors, and medical staff; (c) and medicine, diagnostic equipment, and 
other healthcare facilities. In addition, Barangay Health Center personnel shall be 
1 No. of Barangays https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/factsfigures/dilg-facts-figures-2025429_8a3ebc0fee.pdf DILG, retrieved on May 
14, 2025; No. of Barangay Health Centers https://nhfr.doh.gov.ph/Home DOH, as of May 13, 2025 
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made to conduct home visitations, to periodically determine the public health 
concerns in the community, monitor patients, provide medical care when needed, 
and to help disseminate health-related information. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Alan Peter 
“Compañero” S. Cayetano, this bill therefore serves as a counterpart measure. It 
is for the reason stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought. 
RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​
) 
First Regular Session​
​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 3526
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH CENTERS IN ALL 
BARANGAYS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
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 “Health Centers in 
All Barangays Act.” 
Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. – The State shall provide equitable and 
efficient access to health services starting at the base level of the community, the 
barangay. Healthcare that is based on practical, scientifically-sound, and socially 
acceptable methods and technology should be made universally accessible to 
individuals and families at the community level. 
The State shall streamline healthcare services, decongest hospitals and 
lessen the workload of its healthcare workers, and address ongoing and 
long-term community health needs by building the capacity of the community 
health worker workforce and health facilities. The State also endeavors to 
educate the community members, including regarding effective strategies to 
promote healthy behaviors. 
Sec. 3. Barangay Health Centers. – Towards this end, every barangay in 
the Philippines is hereby mandated to establish a Barangay Health Center. 
The province, city or municipality concerned shall provide financial 
assistance for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Barangay 
Health Centers within their respective localities. 
The Sangguniang Barangay may call upon the public health sector and 
private volunteers, who are duly-licensed medical professionals, and utilize them 
to assist in the provision of primary healthcare and provide consultative services 
for medical needs of the members of the community. 
Sec. 4. Primary Health Program. – Barangay Health Centers shall 
implement a Primary Healthcare program in accordance with guidelines to be set 
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by the Department of Health (DOH). Pursuant to this, the DOH shall: 
(a) Formulate the criteria for the selection, qualification, and training of 
Barangay Health Workers and the standards for the implementation of the 
primary healthcare program in the barangay; and 
(b) Coordinate activities of the barangay, national government agencies 
and local government units, and non-government organizations in order that their 
services may be fully utilized for the attainment of the program goals. 
Sec. 5. Barangay Health Workers and Medical Equipment. – Each 
Barangay Health Center shall have at least one (1) doctor, at least one (1) nurse, 
at least one (1) dentist, and a sufficient number of medical assistants as may be 
determined by the guidelines set by the DOH based on the population of the 
barangay and its proximity to existing public health facilities. Priority shall be 
given to remote areas and cities or municipalities with limited number of health 
facilities. 
As far as practicable, Barangay Health Center personnel shall conduct 
home visits, to periodically determine the public health concerns in the 
community as well as to provide medical care, and monitor patients. 
The DOH shall regularly submit to the CHED and LGUs the number of 
Barangay Health Workers and vacancies throughout the country. The 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Local Government Units 
(LGUs) shall use this information to project the need for healthcare professionals 
and implement programs to address shortages, including the encouragement of 
the youth to pursue health-related courses. 
The implementing agencies of this Act shall ensure that all barangays shall 
have a Barangay Health Center equipped with appropriate healthcare facilities 
within three (3) years from the implementation of this Act. 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. –  The Secretary of the DOH shall immediately 
include in the Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding 
of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
Sec. 7. Report to Congress. – One (1) year after the implementation of this 
Act, the Secretary of the DOH jointly with the Secretary of the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government shall submit a written report to Congress detailing 
the actions taken to implement the provisions of this Act. 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts hereof not affected thereby shall 
remain valid. 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with, or contrary 
to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed 
accordingly. 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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