Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

Housé Bill No. 1513

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the Barangay Health Worker's
Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 formally recognizes the valuable contribution of
barangay health workers to community health development. They play a critical role in
facilitating community and individual access to health information and services essential
to people empowerment on health, They are thus in the forefront of the implementation
of basic health programs and services at the grassroots level vital to community and
individual well — being

R.A. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, mandates the local government
units (LGUs) to assume the health service implementation role in the communities,
while the national government is responsible for ensuring technical standards and
equity in health, Thus, the activities of barangay health workers in the communities are
operationally and administratively supported by LGUs.

Under R.A. No. 7883, barangay health workers are now granted various
incentives and benefits, such as hazard allowance and subsistence allowance, as well
as other non-monetary entitlements. Aside from all of these, this bill proposes a modest
compensation in the form of an honorarium of P4,400 per month which is the equivalent
minimum rate for Salary Grade | position in the Revised Position Classification and
Compensation Plan administered by the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM). To help depressed 4", 5" and 6" class LGUs concerned, this bill authorized the
national government to provide reasonable and necessary subsidy for the payment of
the proposed honorarium to barangay health workers.

This bill is yet another measure to foster dedicated and faithful performance of
duties at the grassroots level which is crucial to the efficient and meaningful
administration of the barangay as the basic political unit of our government, especially in
making health services available to the poorest of the poor.

The approval of this bill is urgently requested.

oo
AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.
2" District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

1513

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF HONORARIUM TO
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

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

SECTION 1. Compensation of Barangay Health Workers. In addition to the
benefits and incentives authorized under the Republic Act No. 7883, accredited
barangay health workers may be granted compensation in the form of honorarium in an
amount not exceeding Four Thousand Four Hundred Pesos (P4,400) per month or the
current equivalent minimum rank for Salary Grade | in the city or municipality to which
the barangays belong.

SEC. 2. Funding. The amount necessary for the grant of honorarium herein
authorized shall be chargeable to the barangay or the city or municipality to which the
barangay belongs: PROVIDED, That the national government may provide such
financial assistance as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose to fourth, fifth
and sixth class local government units concemed.

SEC. 3. Amendment. Republic Act No. 7883 and pertinent provisions of “
Republic Act No. 7160 are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Implementing Guidelines. The Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall issue the necessary
guidelines for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.