SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
J e n n ie
-A*’ if? If I f f  nf Ih r f'v"rrrtn rj>
*17 MAR 16 P3:03
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 140G
RECErv'ft) U.';
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Primary Health Care Approach is recognized as tlie majof strategy 
towards health empowerment, emphasizing the need to provide accessible 
and acceptable health services through participatory strategies such as healtli 
education training of barangay health workers, community building and 
organizing.1
Tlie Barangay Healtli Workers (BHWs) serve as the frontliners in the barangay 
in providing basic health services. They play a vital role in accomplishing the 
major strategy towards health empowerment.
Despite the recorded number of health workers of the Department of Health, 
there are still barangays in the country which do not have BHWs nor 
barangay health center to attend to the health needs of the people. This reality 
points to the fact that a career in providing basic health sei"vices is not 
considered as rewarding.
Under Republic Act 7883 or the Barangay Health Workers' Benefits and 
Incentives Act of 1995, BHWs are considered as volunteers who render 
primary health care services in the community after having been accredited to 
function as such by the local healtln board.
Despite their essential role and the demands of their function, they are only 
entitled to meager incentives and benefits.
S e c tio n  2 , R A  7 8 8 3


This measure seeks to introduce major reforms on the provision of basic 
health services in the barangay: First, the DOH shall be mandated to ensure 
that there is at least one (1) Barangay Health Worker in every barangay and 
second, the position of Barangay Health Worker shall be made a permanent 
position with Salary Grade 10 pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6758 
or the Salaiy Standardization Law of 1989.
These reforms are seen to improve not just the capabilities of the barangay as 
frontliners in the Primaiy Health Care Approach but more importantly the 
availability of the health services to the poor members of tlie society.
In view of tlie foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OE THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO..
■ Vse'*' iO'firr of till' 
'ff'tiTr^
‘17 MAR 16 P3«3
RECCIVLU b ,.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN AC I
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
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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 necessaiy civil seivice eligibility. 
In addition, the barangay health worker shall be entitled to a Christmas bonus 
equivalent to their 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. - Tlie Department of Health 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation 
of this Act.


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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 prewisions of tliis 
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,