Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

First Regular Session
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

House Bill No. 3144

Introduced by Rep. Mi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No. 1569 mandated the deployment of Barangay Nutrition
Scholars (BNSs) in every barangay of the country to monitor the nutritional status of
children and link communities with nutrition and related service providers. The BNSs
conduct home visits and houschold surveys regarding births, disabled persons, the
elderly, newly built houses and transferees. They also perform various tasks at the
barangay health center.

Bome out of volunteerism, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars are only provided a
modest accident insurance coverage of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) each and a
meager monthly traveling allowance. They also receive a small amount of incentive from
the Intemal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the barangay and sometimes from the
municipality and the province. Taken together, these limited financial rewards are not
enough to fully compensate their noble work. It is heartwarming to note, however, that
despite the inadequate honoraria and benefits given to them, the BNSs continue to
provide service to the people because of love for their work.

This measure makes up for the financial remuneration inadequacy by providing
the Barangay Nutrition Scholars coverage in the National Health Insurance Program
under the Philhealth. At the very least, they and their dependents will be ensured of
quality health care services that is affordable, acceptable, available and accessible.

Hence, the immediate and favorable passage of this bill is earnestly requested,

MARIA csenf Ti PSAY


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

| First Regular Session
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

i use Bill No. 3144 ©

Introduced by Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay

AN ACT REQUIRING THE MANDATORY COVERAGE OF ALL BARANGAY
NUTRITION SCHOLARS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANC
PROGRAM (NHIP) JNDER THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE

CR BEORATION (PHILHEALTH)

Be_it enacted by the Senale and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

CTION 1. Objet ‘This Act secks to provide for the mandatory coverage
of all Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP),
hereinafter referred to as the! Program, under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(Philhealth). }

2. Declarationfof Polic jon Il, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution
declares that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall gndeavor to make essential goods, health and other social
services ‘available ‘to ‘all ‘lie people at affordable cost. Priority for the needs of the
underprivileged, sick eldetly, disabled, women and children shall be recognized.
Likewisé; it shall be the polity of the State to provide free medical care to paupers

i oe Coverage!-All duly-accredited Barangay Nutrition Scholars under
Presidential Decree 1569-shall be covered by the Program.

SEC. 4. Enrollment All Barangay Nutrition Scholars shall enroll in the Program
in order for them to be placed under coverage that entitles them to avail of the benefits
and financial assistance provided therein; Provided, That the beneficiaries under this Act
shall be issued appropriate documentation specifying eligibility to benefits and indicating
how benefit was obtained or is being maintained

SEC. 5. Contribyjions—The Department of Health shall pay the monthly
contribution of the barangay day care workers enrolled under the Program,

SEC. 6. Appropriation—The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be appropriated from the national budget and shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act as part of the budget of the Department of Health.


Re

os

H.B. No. 3144

SEC. 7. Repealing! Clause.—All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and
executive orders contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly. ;

i

SFC 8. Effectivity:—-This Act shall take effect upon its approval and completion

of its publication in at least {wo (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,