FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2946

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.”

Today, there are still many people who have no access to health care
due to lack of health personnel. This bill seeks to address this problem by

appointing at least one health worker in every barangay. Further, this bill seeks
to give barangay health workers honorarium and other benefits.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

RUFUS B. Ri |GUEZ

mA

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2946

House Bill No._ “=~

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 helshe 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,