FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1384 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The government, pursuant to Article 11, Section 15 of the Constitution, has the 
duty to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. Health indeed contributes to the national economy. A 
healthy labor force produces higher income for the country. 
Few Filipinos recognize the importance of this reality as an increasing number of 
people, specifically those living in the barangays, cannot avail of the proper medical 
attention in their respective localities. This apparent neglect suffered by our local folks 
is partly due to the current shortage of volunteers, the barangay health workers, whose 
numbers seem to be insufficient to address the growing needs of our barangay folk. 
Government must address this concern. In recognition of the above, this bill 
seeks to mandate the Department of Health to provide at least one health worker in 
every barangay. It also seeks to bestow honorarium and other benefits in 
acknowledgement of the services these health workers render to the people. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~LO~;~ 
Senator 


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• 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. N·o. 1384 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
i'l' ""4 
.i I ") 
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE 
(1) HEALTH WORKER IN EVERY BARANGAY, INCREASING THEIR SALARIES, 
HONORARIA 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 Wor/(er. "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 as amended by Joint 
Resolution No.4; 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 their one (1) month salary, in addition to 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,