Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1595 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 15 of Article II of the Constitution states that it is the policy to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.  
Section 11 of Article XIII also states: “The State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential 
goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There 
shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children. The state shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.” 
In pursuit of the foregoing provisions, it is imperative to strengthen the delivery of basic 
health services at the grassroots level. Barangay health workers (BHWs) serve as the 
frontliners of our public health system, acting as vital links between the community and health 
institutions. However, many barangays in the country remain underserved due to the lack of 
formally deployed and adequately compensated health personnel. There are still places and 
barangays all over the country with no health worker. This makes access to health care very 
difficult for many Filipinos, especially those in far-flung areas. There is a need to address this 
situation and ensure that Filipinos all over the country have access to, at the very least, basic 
health care and services. 
Thus, this bill which seeks to mandate that there be at least one health worker in every 
barangay. It also proposes to improve the socio-economic welfare of these workers by 
providing them with a salary not lower than Salary Grade 10, as provided under Republic Act 
No. 6758 or the Salary Standardization Law, subject to their meeting civil service eligibility 
July 8, 2025
5:06 pm


requirements. Moreover, the measure guarantees that barangay health workers will receive 
benefits under Republic Act No. 7883 or the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives 
Act of 1995, including bonuses and other incentives granted to local government personnel. 
The proposed legislation not only addresses the shortage of health personnel at the 
community level but also institutionalizes the recognition and professionalization of barangay 
health workers. It ensures that these essential frontliners are adequately supported and fairly 
compensated, thereby improving service delivery and empowering them to better fulfill their 
duties. With stronger primary health care systems, this bill contributes to the broader goal of 
achieving Universal Health Care under Republic Act No. 11223, particularly in the most remote 
and underserved areas of the country. 
The passage of this bill is a crucial step toward equitable, accessible, and quality health 
care for all Filipinos. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1595 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE (1) 
HEALTH WORKER IN EVERY BARANGAY, INCREASING THEIR SALARIES AND 
BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Provision of Barangay Health Worker. - There shall be provided at least one 
(1) health worker in every barangay throughout the county. Such health worker shall be under
the control and supervision of the Department of Health in close coordination with the Local 
Government Health Officer. As far as practicable, the barangay health worker to be employed 
must be living in the barangay where he/she is to be assigned, or within the city or municipality 
in which the barangay is to be found. 
SEC. 2. Salary Grade. - The barangay health worker shall receive monthly salary and benefits 
equivalent to a salary grade not lower than SG 10 pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act No. 
6758 or the Salary Standardization Law of 1989; Provided, that they have acquired the 
necessary civil service eligibility. In addition, the barangay health worker shall be entitled to a 
Christmas bonus equivalent to one (1) month salary, and all the benefits granted to other 
barangay employees within their city or municipality, including the incentives and benefits 
under Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and 
Incentives Act of 1995. 


SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The Department of Health shall promulgate 
the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 4. Appropriation. - The sum of Twenty Million Pesos (Php20,000,000.00) is hereby 
appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Such amount as may be necessary for 
the continued implementation of this Act shall be included and integrated in the General 
Appropriations Act as part of the budget of the Department of Health. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion 
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,