TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE __)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

2475

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda, Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As of November 6, 2024, there are 251,598 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs)
serving communities across the Philippines, according to the Department of Health's
Bureau of Local Health Systems Development. This figure reflects not just the scale of
community-based health care in the country but also the enduring reliance on BHWs
to deliver frontline services in every corner of the archipelago.

BHWS are the foundation of primary health care, especially in underserved and
geographically isolated communities. They perform critical tasks, from health
education, maternal and child care, immunization, and nutrition monitoring, to
disease prevention and referral, despite limited resources and often under precarious
working conditions.

Under Section 12, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, the State is mandated to
develop health manpower responsive to national needs. This is further echoed in
Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which guarantees permanent
employment and competitive salaries for health professionals and workers to ensure
continuity of care.

Despite their central role, BHWs remain unrecognized as regular public
servants. Many continue to function as volunteers, with no security of tenure, career

development pathways, or standardized compensation. Their benefits and incentives


remain governed by Republic Act No. 7883 (1995)—a landmark law for its time, but
now outdated and inadequate in addressing the current scope of their responsibilities
and the modern demands of public health.

This bill, the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, seeks to rectify that
long-standing oversight. It proposes to:

1. Institutionalize the role of BHWs within the formal public health system;

2. Create regular plantilla positions for qualified BHWs;

3. Guarantee just compensation, security of tenure, and access to training
and career progression;

4. Provide safeguards for occupational safety, benefits, and social
protection.

More than just a recognition of service, this measure affirms a constitutional
and moral imperative: those who safeguard the health of our people deserve
protection, dignity, and a path to professional advancement.

Instrengthening the welfare and status of BHWs, we not only uphold the rights
of frontline health workers —we strengthen the foundation of universal health care
and bring the vision of “health for all” closer to reality.

In line with the policy espoused by its original proponent, Senator Loren
Legarda, this bill is being introduced as a counterpart measure. In view of the

foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

won hfe ds, gr.


‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

2475

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda, Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

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

CHAPTER I

General Provisions

Section 1, Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of
Barangay Health Workers”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
It is also the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach
to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and
other social services available to the communities.

‘The State acknowledges that primary health care is a key component in
attaining universal health care and, with the support of local government units
(LGUs), the participation of communities, and volunteerism of the population, is an
effective strategy towards realizing health empowerment and delivering effective
health care programs and services.

The State values the indispensable role of barangay health workers (BHWs) as
frontliners in providing primary health care services and, therefore, shall adopt

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policies that will harness their potential as partners in national development.

Pursuant thereto, the State shall define its roles and responsibilities, prescribe
the methods for their recruitment and retention, identify programs for capability-
building and career advancement, and provide avenues to ventilate and resolve issues.
concerning them.

In recognition of the spirit of volunteerism and concern for the upliftment of
the health status of communities, the State shall also promote the welfare and well-
being of volunteer BHWs and provide them with incentives and benefits through the
collaborative efforts of LGUs and the national government.

Sec.
employees of the government, and all LGUs and national government agencies that

Coverage. - This Act shall cover all BHWs, whether as volunteers or

mobilize BHWs to expand the delivery of primary health care services to

communities, families, and individuals.

CHAPTER II
THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
DELIVERY

Sec. 4. The Role of BHWs in Providing Primary Health Care. - The BHWs shall serve
as frontliners in supporting the delivery of primary health care in the community.
They shall form part of the community health teams of the barangay health station,
health center, or any other primary health care facility of the municipal/city health
office established to provide primary health care services to a barangay or a part of it,
or a cluster of barangays. For this purpose, BHWs are hereby declared as members of
the cadre of community health care workers.

The head of the barangay health station, health center, or any other primary
health care facility of the municipal/city health office shall exercise day-to-day direct
control and supervision over the BHWs.

The BHW shall perform the following roles:

(a) Primary Health Care Service Provider - to assist the health facilities in
providing primary health care services to the members of the

community;


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(b) Health Educator - to provide knowledge and skills to community
members in the prevention and management of simple illnesses;

(©) Community Organizer - to organize and mobilize the community
towards self-reliance; and

(d) Record Keeper - to assist in the development and maintenance of a
community health profile, and collect health data and information of
families and individuals in the community.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11223, or the “Universal Health Care Act”,
certified BHWs, who have undergone the certification process under Section 10 of this
Act, shall serve as primary care workers and act as the navigator, initial and
continuing point of contact in the healthcare delivery system. They shall endorse
patients to the next level of health care provider within the health care provider
network to which the barangay health station, health center, or any other primary
health care unit, belongs: Provided, That except in emergency or serious cases and
when proximity is a concern, access to higher levels of care shall be coordinated by
the certified BHWs.

To effectively and efficiently perform these roles and expectations, the BHWs
assigned to a barangay should be residents of the community.

‘The Department of Health (DOH) shall promulgate the policies, guidelines,
and the specific duties and responsibilities of registered and certified BHWs.

Sec. 5. Coordination Between the Health Station/Health Center/Health Care Facility
of the Municipal/City Health Office with the Barangay. - The head of the barangay health
station, health center, or any other primary health care facility, of the municipal/city
health office shall coordinate and collaborate with the punong barangay, or with several
punong barangays in the case of health centers providing services to a cluster of
barangays, in the implementation of programs and activities to address the primary
health care needs of the communities.

Pursuant to Section 17(b)(ii) of the Local Government Code, the punong
barangay shall support the delivery of health services in the community by ensuring
the maintenance of the health station/center, particularly in providing the necessary

additional logistical support, supplies, and services needed by BHWs.

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Sec. 6. Number of Barangay Health Workers. - The determination of the number of
BHWs who can serve a barangay or a cluster thereof shall be guided by and based on,
among others, the catchment population, the community health profile, and the need
for different primary health care services.

The DOH, in consultation with LGUs, shall determine the ideal ratio of BHWs
with the required competencies to households and issue an updated policy on this

ratio every five (5) years.

CHAPTER III
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND APPOINTMENT

Sec. 7. Registration, - In addition to qualifications to be set by the municipal/city
health board, an applicant must meet the following requirements to qualify as a BHW:
(a) At least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing the application for
registration;
(b) Physically and mentally fit; and
(©) With basic BHW orientation and training as prescribed by the DOH completed
in the same year of application for registration.

Eligible applicants shalll register with the local health board in the municipality
or city where they reside and intend to render service and shall be given appropriate
proof of said registration.

It shall be the duty of the municipal/city health offices, in cooperation with the
provincial health offices and the DOH, to provide interested BHW applicants with
basic orientation and training.

Sec. 8. Role of the Municipal/City Local Health Boards. — In addition to their
functions under Section 102, Title V of the Local Government Code, as amended, the
municipal/city health boards shall prescribe the policies and guidelines and be
responsible for the recruitment, selection, registration, certification, retention and
removal of, and the resolution of complaints and grievances involving, BHWs in their
jurisdictions. The decisions of the municipal/city health board with regard to the

revocation of registration of a BHW or on the resolution of complaints and grievances


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of and against BHWs may be appealed to the provincial health board and, thereafter,
to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

‘The DILG, in collaboration with the DOH, shall provide the general guidelines
in setting up the grievance and appeal mechanism.

Sec. 9. National BHW Information System. - A National BHW Information System
shall be established and maintained by the DOH, in partnership with the Department
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), to assist the national
government and LGUs in formulating and implementing policies and programs for
the organization and development of the cadre of BHWs.

The Information System shall be the sole source of real-time data and
information on BHWs nationwide. It shall contain the list of all BHWs at the barangay,
municipal, city, and provincial levels, their socio-demographic profiles, qualifications,
areas of assignment, and other information that the DOH may deem necessary.

The municipal/city health boards shall be responsible for registering and
continuously updating the records of BHWS in their jurisdictions.

‘The provincial health boards, with the assistance of the DOH, shall provide
training to municipal/city health boards within the province on the use of the
Information System and ensure that the local health boards regularly submit accurate
data and information on their BHWs.

Sec. 10. Certification of BHIWs. - To ensure the health and welfare of the
community and further professionalize the cadre of BHWs in rendering primary
health care services, a duly registered BHW shall undergo certification by the
municipal /city health board.

The DOH, in consultation with the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), shall promulgate the policies, standards, and
guidelines for the certification of competency of BHWs.

To qualify for certification, a registered BHW must have:

(a) Completed at least two (2) years of continuous service in the locality;
(b) Completed the training on the roles, duties, and responsibilities of a
BHW, as prescribed by the DOH;


() Provided satisfactory performance as evaluated by the health care
professional supervising the concerned BHW immediately before the
filing of the application for certification; and

(@) Completed the courses of the certification component of the Education
and Training Program, provided in Section 11 of this Act.

The municipal/city health boards shall act on the applications for certification
of BHWs not later than thirty (30) days from the date of application and issue the
certificate of competency to qualified BHWs upon inspection, verification, or testing
of their conformity to policies, standards, and guidelines issued by the DOH.

It shall be the duty of the municipal/city governments, in cooperation with the
provincial government and the DOH, to provide the applicant BHWs the necessary
support and opportunities for certification.

Sec. 11. Education and Training Program for BHWs. - The DOH and the TESDA,
in collaboration with the CSC, the CHED, relevant government agencies, LGUs,
education institutions, and stakeholders, shall develop and institutionalize a
continuing competency-based education and training curriculum for all BHWs.

The curriculum shall train the BHWs as primary health care service providers, health

educators, community organizers, and record keepers. It shall prescribe the courses

for the certification component and for the continuing health education and capacity-
building of all BHWs.

The DOH and the TESDA shall complement the competency-based education
and training curriculum by making available web-based and mobile applications for
the purposes of:

(a) Providing training materials to enhance the knowledge and skills of
BHWs;

(b) Offering forums for BHWs to communicate, share experiences, and seek
advice from peers and health professionals;

(©) Disseminating new policies, programs, and guidelines pertaining to
their roles and responsibilities;

@)

Facilitating reporting and feedback mechanisms to improve service
delivery and address challenges faced in the field; and


(€) Offering resources, including health and wellness programs for
personal and professional development.

Sec. 12. Inclusion of the BHW Positions in the Government Plantilla. - The
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with the CSC, the
DOH and LGUs, shall establish the position classification and the corresponding
salary grades for BHWs in the Index of Occupational Standards. Municipalities and
cities may employ BHWs in their respective LGUs.

Sec. 13. Retention and Continuous Service of BHWS. - Registered and certified
BHWs shall continue to perform their roles, duties, and responsibilities except due to
the withdrawal of an individual as a BHW or removal for cause by the municipal/city
health board after due process. The continuity of services of BHWS, revocation of their
registration, or their removal from the cadre of BHWS, shall follow the policies and
guidelines promulgated by the DILG and the DOH.

Sec. 14. Creation of Plantilla Positions. - All Local Government Units (LGUs), in
coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), shall create plantilla positions for BHWs
within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, subject to the phased
implementation plan.

Sec. 15. Minimum Salary Grade. ~ All BHW plantilla positions shall receive a
salary not lower than Salary Grade (SG) 1, in accordance with the prevailing
compensation and position classification system of the DBM. LGUs may provide
additional top-ups or local incentives, subject to their fiscal capacity.

The SG of BHW plantilla positions may be adjusted by the DBM, upon
consultation with the DOH, CSC, and relevant stakeholders, subject to their fiscal
capacity and based on performance reviews, cost of living adjustments, or changes in
national compensation policies.

Sec. 16. Phased Implementation. - The creation of plantilla positions shall be
implemented in phases over a period of three (3) years, taking into consideration the
following factors:

(a) Annual budgetary allocations of both the local and national

government;


(b) The existing registry of BHWs is maintained and validated by the DOH;
(©) Local government fiscal capacity, with national government counterpart
funding or subsidy where necessary.

‘The DOH shall implement the subsidy program for LGUs in phases or batches,
beginning one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, and shall prioritize the
following:

a) Fourth- to sixth-class municipalities;
b) Geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs); and
c) LGUs with a high ratio of unregularized BHWS to the population served.

The phased implementation schedule, including eligibility criteria and
monitoring mechanisms, shall be detailed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR) to be promulgated under this Act.

Sec. 17. Qualifications for Appointment. - To be eligible for appointment to a
plantilla position as a BHW under this Act, an individual must meet the following
minimum qualifications:

(a) Must be able to read and write, as defined under applicable CSC
standards;

(b) Must be included in the official BHW registry maintained and
validated by the DOH in coordination with the respective LGU; and

(c) Must have rendered at least one (1) year of continuous service as a
BHW prior to appointment, whether on a volunteer or contractual
basis, as certified by the local health office.

No formal educational degree, professional licensure, or eligibility examination
shall be required for appointment to Salary Grade 1 positions under this Act. The CSC
shall issue appropriate guidelines consistent with this policy.

Sec. 18, Security of Tenure. - BHWs appointed to plantilla positions under this
Act shall enjoy full security of tenure, consistent with the Civil Service laws, rules, and
regulations. No BHW shall be removed or dismissed from service except for just cause
and with due process, as provided under applicable laws. Their tenure shall not be
affected by changes in local leadership, political affiliation, or personal preference of
appointing authorities.


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Sec. 19. Special Provisions for Senior BHWs. - BHWs who are nearing or have
reached the compulsory retirement age for government service, or who voluntarily
choose not to be appointed to plantilla positions due to age or other personal reasons,
shall not be compelled to undergo regularization under this Act.

In recognition of their years of service and continued contributions to
community health, LGUs, in coordination with the DOH, shall provide alternative

benefits or support mechanisms.

CHAPTER IV
Incentives and Benefits

Sec. 20. Monthly Honoraria for Non-Plantilla BHWs. ~ Pending the creation of
plantilla positions for BHWs, those who are actively and regularly performing their
duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in the amount of not less than Three
Thousand Pesos (Php 3,000.00) for registered BHWs and not less than Five Thousand
Pesos (Php 5,000.00) for certified BHWs, subject to adjustment based on the prevailing
market value: Provided, That no diminution of monthly honoraria can be made on
BHWs already receiving more than the herein prescribed minimum amounts:
Provided, further. That the DOH, in coordination with the DILG and the DBM, shall
review and adjust the minimum honoraria every three (3) years.

Sec. 21. Transportation Allowance/Expense Reimbursements. ~ Registered and
certified BHWs shall be provided by the barangay with transportation allowance or
to reimbursement of actual transportation expense for the performance of their
functions, as may be authorized by law or regulation: Provided, That the barangay
may, instead, provide applicable forms of transportation to enable the BHWs to
provide the needed primary health care service: Provided, further. That the
municipality or city, through their health offices, may shoulder such allowance or
expense: Provided, finally. That official travels, such as seminars, conferences, and
transport of patients outside of the barangay or locality, shall be shouldered by the
barangay, municipality, city, or province that authorized such official travel and shall
not be deducted from the honoraria of the BHWs;


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Sec. 22. Subsistence Allowance. - The concerned municipality or city shall provide
BHWs who render service in unserved or underserved barangays where they are not
residents to make their services available at any and all times, with subsistence
allowance equivalent to the meals taken during their duty, which shall be computed
following prevailing circumstances. In no case shall such subsistence allowance be less
than One hundred pesos (P 100.00) per day;

Sec. 23, Hazard Allowance. - BHWs who, in the exercise of their duties, are
exposed to situations, conditions, or factors in the work environment or place where
foreseeable but unavoidable danger or risks to their health, life, or on their person
exist, including assignment to communities in or recovering from a situation of armed
conflict, as validated by proper authorities, shall be paid a hazard allowance by the
concerned municipality or city in an amount to be determined by its local health board
and the local peace and order council, which shall in no case be less than One thousand
pesos (P 1,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations;

Sec. 24. Insurance Coverage. - Insurance coverage and benefit packages from the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), suited to their needs and unique
circumstances, shall be borne by the concerned municipality or city. For this purpose,
the GSIS shall design such appropriate insurance packages;

Sec. 25. Health Emergency Allowance During Public Health Emergency. - Volunteer
BHWs who are part of the National BHW Information System and are assigned to
health facilities and barangay health emergency response teams during public health
emergencies shall be entitled to the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) and other
benefits prescribed in Republic Act No. 11712. The national government shall provide
funds for the payment of the HEA and other benefits;

Sec. 26. Cash Gift. - The BHWs shall be entitled to a cash gift not less than the
minimum monthly honoraria, to be given every December;

Sec. 27. One-time Dedicated Service Recognition Incentive. - A BHW who
withdraws as a registered or certified BHW but has continuously and satisfactorily
served for at least fifteen (15) years shall, in recognition of his/her loyalty, dedication,
and service, be entitled to a one-time incentive of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P
10,000.00), which shall be borne by the municipality or city concerned. The national

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and provincial governments shall assist in case of non-availability of funds from the
concerned municipality or component city;
Sec. 28. Education and Career Advancement. - The DOH, in coordination with the
Department of Education, CHED, TESDA, CSC, other concerned national government
agencies, non-government organizations, and LGUs, shall provide information on,
and opportunities for, education and career advancement for BHWs, such as:
i, Educational programs that credit the years of primary health care service
of the BHW and the number of training hours gained during attendance
to courses covered by the Education and Training Program under Section
11 of this Act towards higher education completion in institutions with
step-ladder curricula, as provided under Republic Act No. 10968,
otherwise known as the “POF Act”, and Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise
known as the “Ladderized Education Act of 2014”, thus allowing them to
upgrade their skills and knowledge for community work or to pursue
further training as health care professionals;
ii, Continuing education, study and exposure tours, field immersion, and
scholarship and financial grants, among others;

iii, Scholarship grant or financial assistance to one (1) child of a BHW who is
unable to take advantage of the programs described in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) hereof; and

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

Sec. 29. Free Legal Services. - Legal representation and consultation services shall
be immediately provided by the Public Attorney’ s Office toa BHW in cases of coercion
or interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against the BHW
arising out of or in connection with the performance of his/her duties; and

Sec. 30. Preferential Access to Government Livelihood Programs. - Government
agencies providing livelihood programs shall provide organized BHWs with
preferential access to loan services; Provided, That in the provision of the monthly
honoraria and the cash gift, and in consideration of the financial assistance of the

national government to third, fourth, and fifth class municipalities, as provided under

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Section 32 of this Act, the provinces, in consultation with component cities,
municipalities, and barangays within their jurisdiction, shall determine the actual
amount or percentage share of the amount that each LGU will give to BHWs: Provided,
further. That nothing herein limits the barangay, municipality, city, or province from
fully shouldering the provision of the monthly honoraria and the cash gift: Provided,
furthermore. That nothing herein prevents the barangay, municipality, city, and
province from providing additional monetary and non-monetary benefits to BHWs to
supplement those given by another concerned LGU within the province: Provided,
finally. That these honoraria shall be given starting January of the ensuing fiscal year
unless the LGUs, singly or collectively, immediately provide the needed funding.

Sec. 31. Sub-Professional Eligibility. - Certified BHWs shall be granted sub-
professional eligibility if they have rendered at least five (5) years of 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 the computation of retirement benefits.

The emoluments, incentives, benefits, honoraria, allowances, and
reimbursements of BHWs employed by the municipality, city, province, or national
government agencies on a regular, contractual, casual, or job order basis shall be
governed by civil service laws and the policies issued by the CSC, the Office of the
President, the DBM, and the LGU under which they are employed.

Sec. 32. BHW Deployment Subsidy to Low-Income Municipalities. - There is hereby
mandated a BHW Deployment Subsidy to Low-Income Municipalities to provide
financial assistance to third, fourth, and fifth class municipalities and enable them to
deploy a sufficient number of volunteer BHWs in their communities, particularly to
unserved or underserved areas in their jurisdictions, and provide incentives to
dedicated volunteer BHWSs. Priority shall he given to municipalities with no or less
capacity to give regular and adequate monthly honoraria and other incentives to their
BHWs, as determined by the DOH and the DILG.

CHAPTER V
Institutional Arrangements

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following responsibi

Sec. 33. Role of the Department of Health. - To ensure the effectivity of the
implementation of this Act, the DOH shall:

a) Formulate national standards and guidelines for the recruitment,
qualification, training, and deployment of BEW5, in coordination with the
CSC, DILG, DBM and other concerned agencies;

b) Provide technical assistance and oversight to LGUs to ensure that the

services of BHWs are aligned with national public health programs and
priorities;

¢)

Establish a funding mechanism, subject to existing laws and availability of
funds, to provide full or partial salary subsidies to LGUs, prioritizing
fourth to  sixth-class municipalities, geographically isolated and
disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and other LGUs with limited fiscal capacity;
d) Develop and oversee a phased implementation plan, in consultation with
LGUs, BHW associations, and relevant stakeholders, with due regard to
local fiscal capacity, national health workforce targets, and the existing
BHW registry;

e) Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework, in coordination with the

LGUs, to assess the implementation, efficiency, and effectiveness of the

regularization program, and shall submit annual reports to Congress; and
£) Strengthen DOH-LGU coordination mechanism to ensure the effective

integration and support of BHWs within the local health systems.

Sec. 34. Role of the Local Government. To ensure the effective implementation of

this Act at the community level, Local Government Units (LGUs) shall have the

a. LGUs shall create and maintain regular plantilla positions for qualified
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), consistent with the national
standards prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH), and in
coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG).

b. LGUs shall be responsible for the recruitment, appointment, and
administrative supervision of BHWs within their jurisdictions, in

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accordance with the qualification standards, accreditation guidelines,
and merit-based procedures set by the DOH and CSC.

. LGUs shall ensure the timely and full disbursement of salaries,

allowances, and benefits of BHWs in plantilla positions, including the
continued provision of honoraria and incentives for volunteer BHWs,
subject to applicable laws and budgetary capacity.

. LGUs shall support and facilitate the participation of BHWs in DOH-

accredited training, upskilling, and continuing education programs, and
where possible, develop local initiatives for career development in

coordination with TESDA, CHED, and other relevant agencies.

. LGUs shall regularly update and validate their respective BHW

registries and submit the same to the Provincial Health Office and the
DOH for consolidation. They shall also conduct periodic performance
assessments of BHWs, using national performance metrics and local
feedback mechanisms.

LGUs shall ensure that BHWs are protected from discrimination, undue
political interference, and unjust termination. They shall establish
grievance mechanisms and adopt local policies that promote a safe,

enabling, and inclusive working environment for BHWs.

. LGUs shall prioritize adequate budgetary allocation for the

implementation of this Act, including counterpart funding for salary

subsidies, training programs, and operational support for BHWs.

. LGUs shall coordinate closely with the DOH, Provincial Health Offices,

BHW Federations, and other stakeholders in the planning,
implementation, and monitoring of BHW deployment and integration
within the local health system.

CHAPTER VI
Prohibitions, Protections, and Rights

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Sec. 35. 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. 36. Protection of BHWs. - The municipal, city, provincial governments and
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall establish a
grievance mechanism as a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged
acts of discrimination and unjust removal from the service. A BHW may appeal their
grievances to the DILG.

Sec. 37. Right to Self-organization. - A BHW shall have the right to freely form,
join or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful
concerted activities, in a manner not contrary to law, 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.

Sec. 38. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health Care Provider
Network. - The president of the municipal or city association of BHWs shall be a
member of the municipal or city local health board. The presidents of the association
of BHWs of each component city and municipality associations of a province shall
elect from among themselves their representative to the provincial health board:
Provided, That, the BHW representatives to the health boards shall not be allowed to
vote on the registration, accreditation and disciplinary or removal complaints of
BHWs.

‘The BHWs shalll also form part of the healthcare provider network and shall
participate in the implementation of healthcare services and programs.

Sec. 39. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. - The DOH shall conduct
continuous capacity building for BHWs to enhance and upgrade their knowledge and
skills, including training programs conducted online and in major Philippine dialects.
The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies shall also
assist the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials that highlight
the collective experiences and learnings of BHWs and the use of traditional and

complementary medicine.

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

Sec. 40. Prohibition on Participation in Political Activities. - To maintain their
integrity and impartiality, and eliminate the possibility of conflicts with their
catchment households, BHWs are prohibited from participating in partisan political
activities. Any BHW who files an application as a candidate in any political position
is hereby deemed removed from the list of registered BHWs or resigned from
government service, as the case may be. Participation in political activities shall serve
as basis for the local health board to remove BHWs from the list of registered BHWs.

CHAPTER VII
Other Provisions

Sec. 41. Observance of BHW Day. - Every barangay shall commemorate BHW
Day on April 7 of every year in recognition of the service of BHWs, their heroic
services in times of crisis, and their indispensable role in promoting health and
wellness among the citizenry.
The DOH, in cooperation with the DILG and all LGUs, shall hold simple ceremonies
or activities to 10 highlight the indispensable role of BHWs in nationbuilding.
Sec. 42. Periodic Review of Implementation. - The DOH, in coordination with the
DBM, DILG, CSC, and relevant BHW associations, shall conduct a comprehensive
review of the implementation of this Act every three (3) years from its effectivity.
The review shalll include, but not be limited to:
1. The adequacy of the salary grade and benefits of BHWs;
2. The effectiveness of the plantilla integration process;
3. Equity in allocation of national subsidies; and
4. The overall impact of the Act on community health outcomes.
‘The findings and recommendations shall be submitted to Congress and made
publicly available to inform possible amendments or improvements to the Act.
Sec. 43. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the LGUs, other

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local funds and the special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise
known as the “Universal Health Care Act”.

Sec. 44. Implementing Rules And Regulations. - The DOH and the DILG shall, in
consultation with the DepEd, the CSC, the GSIS, and other concerned government
agencies and nongovernmental 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. 45. Separability Clause. ~ If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and
effect.

Sec. 46. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the
“Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby repealed.
Alllaws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with
this Act are hereby repealed, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 47. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,

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