Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit No, 4607

Introduced by Re

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the state policies enshrined under Section 15, Article II of the 1987
Philippine Constitution which provides “The State shall protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

Pursuant to this policy, the government had adopted the policy of Primary Health
Care Approach for health empowerment which emphasizes the need to provide
accessible and acceptable health services through the participatory strategies such as
training of barangay health workers, community building and organizing and among
others.

Republic Act 7783 or the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act
of 1995 was enacted wherein the Barangay Health Workers were considered as the
front liners in providing health care services. However, in this act there is no existing
provision granting security of tenure. Accordingly, their hold of office depends on the
discretion or worst on the whims and caprices of the appointing authority. Further, the
time, training and accreditation expenses invested by the government and the health
workers are put into waste. This piece of legislation seeks to remedy such conditions.

With the passage of this bill, there shall be security of tenure for these barangay
health workers such that they may only be removed from office for valid or justified

causes under the existing Civil Service laws and regulations and only after due notice
and hearing.

In lieu of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Approved,

ve

ATTY. PAULIWO SALVADOR “DOY” C. LEACHON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4607

Introduced by Rep. Doy C. Leachon

AN ACT PROVIDING SECURITY OF TENURE FOR BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 7883 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS BENEFITS & INCENTIVES ACTS OF
1995,

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

SECTION 1. A new provision shall be inserted between Sections 7 and 8 of
Republic Act 7883 of the same act to be denominated as Section 7-A, which shall read
as follows:

“SECTION 7-A. SECURITY OF TENURE OF BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS. - In addition to the incentives and benefits accorded to the Barangay
Health Workers (BHWs) as provided under this Act. the BHWs as accredited in
accordance with Section 4 hereof shall enjoy and be afforded the security of tenure. No
person duly accredited as barangay health workers shall be removed except for valid
cause as prescribed under existing Civil Service rules and regulations and only after
due notice and hearing. “

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid,
the remainder of any provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and
effect.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and other
presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,