HOUSL-F REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
pare, 31 AUG 2016
BY’

PESISTR ATION LIT
BILLS 20 inith ¥ SERVICE

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

240
HOUSE BILL NO. 3409

Introduced by Honorable Peter M. “Sr. Pedro” Unabia

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that:

“Section 15.The State shall protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

Likewise,Section 11, Article XIII provides that:

“Section 11. 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.”

Pursuant to these policies, there is a need to provide sible and
acceptable health services through the participatory strategies such as training of
barangay health workers, community building and organizing, among others.In the
forefront of these strategies are the barangay health workers who brave remote
barangays, traverse inaccessible roads and perilous sea routes to discharge their
tasks of bringing health care services to areas hardly reached by doctors.
Yet,barangay health workers receive meager allowances.

During the Sixteenth Congress, House Bill No. 5277 authored by
Representative Mercedes K. Alvarez and House Bill No. 4152 authored by
Representative Doy C. Leachon were filed to provide security of tenure in favor of


barangay health workers. Unfortunately, it was archived before the opening of the
Seventeenth Congress. Upon careful evaluation of their proposed measures
however, I am convinced that it should be refiled to attain its noble intention.
Hence, this bill.

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

PETER f \i AD” UNABIA


Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3409

Introduced by Honorable Peter M. “Sr. Pedro” Unabia

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR SECURITY OF TENURE FOR BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS AND INCLUDING BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLAR AS
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995”

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7883 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

health worker”

“SEC. 3. Definition. — The term “barangay

refers to a person who has undergone training programs under any
accredited government and non-government organization and who
voluntarily renders primary health care services in the community

atter having been accredited to function as such by the jocai heaith


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10

a

12

B

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board in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the
Department of Health (DOH).

FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, A BARANGAY
NUTRITION SCHOLAR, = AS PROVIDED) UNDER
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1569, SHALL BE CONSIDERED A
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER.”

SEC. 2. Section 6 (d) of Republic Act No. 7883 is hereby amended to

read as follows:

“SEC. 6, Incentives and Benefits. In recognition of their
services, all accredited barangay heaith workers who are actively and
regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to the following

incentives and benefits:

Xxx Xxx Xxx

(d) Civil Service Eligibility AND SECURITY OF TENURE. —
‘A second grade eligibility shall be granted to barangay health workers
who have rendered [five (5)] TWO (2) years continuous service as
such: Provided, That should the barangay health worker become a

regular employee of the government, the total number of years served


10

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as barangay health worker shall be credited to his/her service in

computing retirement ben

NO PERSON DULY ACCREDITED AS BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKER SHALL BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE
EXCEPT FOR VALID CAUSE AS PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING
CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND ONLY
AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING.

XXX.”

SEC. 3. Review of Existing Rules and Regulations, — The Department
of Health in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and the
National Nutrition Councii shaii review and harmonize aii existing rules and
regulations, plans and programs relative to the implementation of Republic Act No.
7883 and Presidential Decree No. 1569 to effectively carry out the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. —Alllaws, decrees, executive orders, and
other presidential issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,