Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: 
“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 under-privileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children.  The State 
shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.”  
However, the health sector is beset by the exodus of nurses and doctors seeking higher 
paying jobs abroad leading to poor delivery of health services in the country, especially in the 
rural areas.  In 2017, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) reported that a 
total of 92, 277 nurses and doctors were hired abroad.  Nurse to patient ratio was estimated to 
be at 1:40 – 1:80 as opposed to the standard 1:20. In an article last May 2022 by Rowalt 
Alibudbud of the Department of Sociology and Behavioral Science in De La Salle University, 
it was highlighted that our country “supplied about 240,000 nurses to Organisation for 
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with an outflow of 15,000 to 
20,000 nurses per year. This made the Philippines the largest supplier of nurses to OECD 
countries”. 
The dire condition of our public health service sector was also highlighted by the 
Covid-19 Pandemic as it underscored the scarcity of health facilities and personnel during the 
surges of Covid-19 cases that our country faced since this global health crisis began in 2020.  
It further amplified the need for strengthening our public health service, and one among other 
means of doing this is by giving protection and proper incentives to our health workers, 
especially those who are truly at the frontlines of the basic unit of our society, our Barangay 
Health Workers. 
The bill entitled “An Act Granting Fixed Honoraria and Additional Incentives and 
Benefits to Barangay Health Workers, Amending for the Purpose of Republic Act No. 7883, 
Otherwise Known as the Barangay Health Workers’ Incentives and Benefits Act of 1995 ” or 
July 14, 2022
1:24 pm
1989


House Bill No. 536 was originally filed in the 18th Congress by this Representation wherein it 
was consolidated with other similar proposed measures, deliberated at the Committees on 
Local Government, Appropriations, and Ways and Means, and was substituted by House Bill 
No. 10699, entitled “An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers”, 
with Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, and Rep. Strike Revilla as 
among the main proponents of the said measure, with other members of the House of 
Representatives during the 18th Congress.  It was eventually passed on third reading and was 
transmitted to the Senate.  However, due to various factors, the said measure was not enacted 
until the end of the previous Congress. 
Hence, the approval of this noble bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
 SECTION 1.  Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of Barangay 
1 
Health Workers” 
2 
3 
SEC. 2.  Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
4 
and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach 
5 
to health development.  Pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to make essential goods, health care, 
6 
and other social services available to all the people.  In line with the country’s commitment to 
7 
accomplish health indicator targets under the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals 
8 
(MDGs), the State shall adopt policies that promote the welfare and well-being of barangay 
9 
health workers who are at the forefront of the delivery of health care at the grassroots level, and 
10 
which shall effectively harness their potential as partners in development. 
11 
12 
SEC. 3.  Definition. – As used in this Act, the term “barangay health worker” refers to 
13 
a person who has undergone training under any accredited government and nongovernment 
14 
organization and who voluntarily renders primary health care services in the community after 
15 
having been accredited to function as such by the local health board in accordance with the 
16 
1989


guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health (DOH) pursuant to Section 3 of Republic 
1 
Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the “Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act 
2 
of 1995”. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 4.  Registration. – Barangay health workers (BHWs) shall be registered with the 
5 
local health board in the city or municipality in which they render service.  The registered health 
6 
workers shall be given appropriate proof of said registration. 
7 
 
8 
The municipal and city health offices shall regularly maintain and update the BHW 
9 
Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation and shall submit the same to the municipal 
10 
or city health board.  The local health offices shall submit a copy of their respective updated 
11 
BHW registry to the Provincial Health Office which shall consolidate all registries.  Upon the 
12 
validation of the Provincial BHW Federation, the consolidated Provincial Registry shall be 
13 
submitted to the Provincial Health Board, and the same shall be posted in the municipal or city 
14 
bulletin boards and barangay health centers. 
15 
 
16 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every year to 
17 
the DOH at the regional and national levels for consolidation.  The DOH is hereby mandated to 
18 
maintain a national register of BHWs. 
19 
 
20 
In order to qualify for registration, a barangay health worker must: 
21 
 
22 
(a) Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and 
23 
satisfactorily for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of 
24 
the filing of application for registration in the barangay as certified by the 
25 
Rural Health Midwife (RHM) or public health nurse assigned to the 
26 
barangay and by the head of the barangay health workers association; 
27 
 
28 
(b) Have completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed 
29 
by the DOH and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-
30 
recognized academic institution, or nongovernmental organization (NGO); 
31 
 
32 
(c) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing of the 
33 
application for registration; and,  
34 
 
35 


(d) Be physically and mentally fit. 
1 
 
2 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation with the 
3 
Provincial Health Office and DOH, to provide the BHW applicants with basic orientation and 
4 
training within six (6) months from the date of approval of their application. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 5. Accreditation. – To further professionalize the health care services rendered by 
7 
the BHWs and ensure the health and welfare of the community, a duly registered BHW must 
8 
be accredited by the municipal or city health board. 
9 
 
10 
The municipal or city health board shall issue the certificate of accreditation to qualified 
11 
BHWs.  In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must: 
12 
 
13 
(a) Be registered in accordance with Section 4 hereof; 
14 
 
15 
(b) Have completed in the locality at least two (2) years of continuous and 
16 
satisfactory service immediately prior to the filing of application for 
17 
accreditation; 
18 
 
19 
(c) Have completed a regular training program on health care service 
20 
community-based health program, that would upgrade and develop the skills 
21 
and competency of BHWs to perform their roles.  The training program shall 
22 
be institutionalized by the DOH, in cooperation with local government units 
23 
(LGUs). 
24 
 
25 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city LGUs, in cooperation with the provincial 
26 
government and the DOH, to provide the applicant BHWs the necessary support and 
27 
opportunities for accreditation. 
28 
 
29 
A BHW must complete the regular training program on health care service and 
30 
community based health program within five (5) years from registration. 
31 
 
32 
The municipal and city health boards or through their registration and accreditation 
33 
committee shall act on the applications for accreditation of BHWs not later than thirty (30) days 
34 
from the date of application. 
35 


The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is accessible 
1 
to the general public. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 6. Number and Role of Barangay Health Workers. – Notwithstanding the 
4 
limitations prescribed under Section 325(a) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise 
5 
known as “The Local Government Code of 1991”, each barangay shall at least have one (1) 
6 
BHW for every twenty (20) households. 
7 
 
8 
As one of the key partners in a reformed health care delivery system, the DOH and 
9 
LGUs shall support the roles of BHWs as: 
10 
 
11 
(a) Advocate – to support, promote and champion current health programs, 
12 
projects, and activities to improve access to quality health services towards 
13 
the improved health status of the community; 
14 
 
15 
(b) Educator – to guide and advise the community on the current DOH and 
16 
health priorities of LGUs such as importance of birth plan and facility-based 
17 
delivery in reducing maternal and infant deaths; newborn screening for the 
18 
early detection of congenital metabolic disorders which may lead to mental 
19 
retardation and even death, among others; 
20 
 
21 
(c) Disseminator – to maintain regular communication with local professional 
22 
health workers on health events and updates and concerns relevant to the 
23 
community and inform the same to the community for appropriate action, if 
24 
necessary; 
25 
 
26 
(d) Coordinator – to facilitate access to any group or association of the 
27 
community with a relevant network of specific health and non-health service 
28 
providers; 
29 
 
30 
(e) Record Keeper – to maintain updated records of health data, health activities 
31 
and events in the community; 
32 
 
33 
(f) Health Care Service Provider – to assist and provide basic health care 
34 
services as may be needed in the community in any health event. 
35 
 
36 
A BHW shall not be required to engage in any partisan political activity. 
37 


SEC 7. Mandatory Appointment of Barangay Health Worker (BHW). – There shall 
1 
be appointed at least one (1) BHW in every barangay for every twenty (20) households who 
2 
shall be under the supervision and control of the DOH.  The BHW to be appointed shall 
3 
coordinate closely with the local government health officer in the implementation of health 
4 
programs in the locality.  As far as practicable, the BHW to be employed must be a resident of 
5 
the barangay. 
6 
 
7 
The DOH shall determine the ratio of barangay health workers according to the number 
8 
of households: Provided, That there shall be at least one (1) BHW for every twenty (20) 
9 
households: Provided, further, That the total number of barangay health workers nationwide 
10 
shall not be less than one percent (1%) of the total population. 
11 
 
12 
SEC. 8. Incentives and Benefits. – All BHWs who are actively and regularly 
13 
performing their duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in the amount of not less than 
14 
Three thousand pesos (Php 3,000.00) subject to adjustment based on the prevailing market 
15 
value, in addition to the following incentives and benefits: 
16 
 
17 
(a) Privileges for the BHWs. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to twenty 
18 
percent (20%) discount on all the items enumerated under Section 4(a) of 
19 
Republic Act No. 9994 otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens 
20 
Act of 2010”: Provided, That the privileges shall not be claimed if the BHW 
21 
is eligible for a higher discount that may be granted by the commercial 
22 
establishment or other existing laws. 
23 
 
24 
The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this 
25 
Section as tax deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: 
26 
Provided, That the discount shall be allowed as deduction from the gross 
27 
income for the same taxable year that the discount is granted:  Provided, 
28 
further, That the total amount of the claimed tax deduction net of value-
29 
added tax, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipt for tax 
30 
purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions 
31 
of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
32 
 
33 
(b) Hazard Allowance. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to hazard 
34 
allowance in an amount to be determined by the local health board of the 
35 


LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than One thousand pesos (Php 
1 
1,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations; 
2 
 
3 
(c) Subsistence Allowance. – All accredited BHWs who render service within 
4 
the premises of isolated barangay health stations shall be entitled to 
5 
subsistence allowance equivalent to the meals they take in the course of their 
6 
duty, which shall be computed in accordance with prevailing circumstances 
7 
as determined by the LGU concerned.  Such allowance shall, in no case, be 
8 
less than One hundred pesos (Php 100.00) per day; 
9 
 
10 
(d) Transportation Allowance. – All accredited BHWs, in the performance of 
11 
their official duties, shall be entitled to a transportation allowance of not less 
12 
than One thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules 
13 
and regulations; 
14 
 
15 
(e) One-time Retirement Cash Incentive. – An accredited BHW who has 
16 
continuously and satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years shall be 
17 
entitled to a one-time retirement cash incentive of not less than Ten thousand 
18 
pesos (Php 10,000.00) in recognition of their loyalty and dedication, which 
19 
shall be borne by the municipality or city concerned.  The provincial 
20 
government may provide assistance for this purpose in the case of 
21 
component cities; 
22 
 
23 
(f) Training, Education, and Career Enrichment Programs. – The DOH shall, 
24 
in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on 
25 
Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development 
26 
Authority (TESDA), DOH-recognized academic institutions, other 
27 
concerned agencies and nongovernment organizations, provide information 
28 
on and opportunities for education and career enrichment for accredited 
29 
BHWs, such as in the following programs: 
30 
 
31 
(1) Educational programs which credit the years of primary 
32 
health care service of the BHW towards higher education 
33 
completion in institutions with stepladder curricula thus 
34 
allowing them to upgrade their skills and knowledge for 
35 


community work or to pursue further training as midwives, 
1 
pharmacists, nurses or doctors; 
2 
(2) Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field 
3 
immersion, and scholarships, among others; 
4 
(3) Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state 
5 
colleges, to be granted to one (1) child of every barangay 
6 
health worker who will not be able to take advantage of the 
7 
programs described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) hereof; 
8 
and, 
9 
(4) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, 
10 
disaster preparedness and other programs that address 
11 
emergent community health problems and issues. 
12 
 
13 
(g) Health Benefits. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to the following 
14 
health benefits during their incumbency: 
15 
 
16 
(1) Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses 
17 
medicines, x-ray and other laboratory fees, when confined in 
18 
any public hospital or health institution; 
19 
 
20 
(2) Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Five 
21 
thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of 
22 
the barangay concerned, for expenses incurred in the nearest 
23 
private hospital or clinic in case of extreme emergency where 
24 
there is no available public hospital; 
25 
 
26 
(3) Mandatory and immediate membership in the PhilHealth as 
27 
indirect contributors. 
28 
 
29 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
30 
accredited BHWs not otherwise provided by law; 
31 
 
32 
(h) Insurance Coverage. – Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance 
33 
coverage and benefits by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) 
34 
which shall be borne by the LGU concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall 
35 


design an insurance benefit package suited to the needs and unique 
1 
circumstances of the BHWs; 
2 
 
3 
(i) Sick, Vacation and Maternity Leaves. – All accredited BHWs shall be 
4 
entitled to sick, vacation and maternity leaves as may be prescribed in the 
5 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act: Provided, That, the BHWs 
6 
shall continue to receive their monthly honoraria while on leave, for such 
7 
period in accordance with existing laws and practices; 
8 
 
9 
(j) Cash Gift. – All accredited BHWs are entitled to a cash gift not less than the 
10 
minimum monthly honoraria to be given every December from the general 
11 
fund of the barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national 
12 
government for the purpose; 
13 
 
14 
(k) Disability Benefit. – An accredited BHW who sustains an injury or falls ill 
15 
in the course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two 
16 
thousand pesos (Php 2,000.00) for every year of service; 
17 
 
18 
(l) Civil Service Eligibility. – A first grade eligibility shall be granted to 
19 
accredited BHWs who have rendered three (3) years continuous service as 
20 
such: Provided, That should a BHW become a regular employee of the 
21 
government, the total number of years served as such shall be credited to the 
22 
BHWs service in the computation of retirement benefits. 
23 
 
24 
No person duly accredited as a BHW shall be removed except for a valid 
25 
cause to be determined by the Local Health Board (LHB): Provided, That if 
26 
found to be unjustly removed from service, a BHW shall be entitled to 
27 
reinstatement without loss of benefits and incentives from the time of 
28 
termination up to the time of reinstatement.  The LHB shall resolve 
29 
termination cases against a BHW judiciously not later than ninety (90) days 
30 
from the receipt of a complaint; 
31 
 
32 
(m) Free Legal Services. – Legal representation and consultation services shall 
33 
be immediately provided by the Public Attorney’s Office to a BHW in cases 
34 
of coercion, interference, and civil and criminal cases filed by or against the 
35 
BHW arising out of or in connection with the performance of their duties as 
36 
such; 
37 


(n) Preferential Access to Loan Facilities. – The DOH in coordination with other 
1 
concerned government agencies shall provide, within one hundred eighty 
2 
(180) days after the effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide 
3 
organized BHWs access to loan services.  The agencies providing loan 
4 
services will set aside one percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized 
5 
BHW groups that have community-based income generating projects in 
6 
support of health programs or activities. 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 9. Review by the Local Health Board. – Every incentive or benefit for BHWs 
9 
requiring expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and approved by the LHB.  Such benefits 
10 
and incentives may be increased, upon review of the LHB, after considering, among others, the 
11 
present Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).” 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 10. Discrimination Prohibited. – Discrimination against any BHW by reason of 
14 
gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs and ethnic groupings in the exercise of 
15 
their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited. 
16 
 
17 
SEC. 11. Protection of BHWs. – The municipal, city, provincial governments and the 
18 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall establish a grievance 
19 
mechanism as a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged acts of discrimination 
20 
and unjust removal from the service.  BHWs may appeal their grievances to the DILG. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 12. Right to Self-organization. – BHWs shall have the right to freely form, join 
23 
or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted 
24 
activities, in a manner not contrary to law, and with utmost regard to service to patients and the 
25 
continuous operation of barangay health services in the interest of public health, safety, or 
26 
survival of patients. 
27 
 
28 
SEC. 13. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health Care 
29 
Provider Network. – The president of the municipal or city association of BHWs shall be a 
30 
member of the municipal or city local health board.  The presidents of the association of BHWs 
31 
of each component city and municipality associations of a province shall elect from among 
32 
themselves their representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That, the BHW 
33 
representatives to the health boards shall not be allowed to vote on the registration, accreditation 
34 
and disciplinary or removal complaints of BHWs. 
35 
 
36 


The BHWs shall also form part of the health care provider network and shall participate 
1 
in the implementation of health care services and programs. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 14. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. – The DOH shall conduct 
4 
continuous capacity building for BHWs to enhance and upgrade their knowledge and skills, 
5 
including training programs conducted online and in major Philippine dialects. 
6 
 
7 
The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies also assist 
8 
the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials that highlight the collective 
9 
experiences and learnings of BHWs and the use of traditional and complementary medicine. 
10 
 
11 
The LGU shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for BHW and other 
12 
health workers in coordination with TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concerned. 
13 
 
14 
The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs that will allow them 
15 
to benefit from ladderized training as provided under Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise known 
16 
as the “PQF Act,” and Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise known as the “Ladderized Education 
17 
Act of 2014,” including academic credits for health-related courses. 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 15. Penalty Clause. – Any  local government official who violates any provision 
20 
of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with law. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
23 
shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the LGUs, other local funds and 
24 
the special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as the “Universal 
25 
Health Care Act”. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulation. – The DOH and the DILG shall, in 
28 
consultation with the DepEd, the CSC, the GSIS, and other concerned government agencies 
29 
and nongovernmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act not 
30 
later than one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
31 
 
32 
SEC. 18. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
33 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect. 
34 
 
35 


SEC. 19. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the Barangay 
1 
Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby repealed.  All laws, decrees, 
2 
executive orders, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
3 
or modified accordingly. 
4 
 
5 
           SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
6 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
7 
 
8 
Approved,  
9