Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samanta Taliño Santos 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH 
WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are volunteers who render primary health care services at 
the community level. They serve as advocates, educators, and disseminators of information on 
available health programs. The BHWs therefore act as a community organizer and liaison between 
the general primary care service and the barangays they volunteer for.  
Aside from primary care education, they assist in the implementation of specific health programs 
crucial to the well-being of the community. BHWs assist with tuberculosis prevention, maternal 
and child health, immunization, first aid, among others. This is especially crucial in far-flung rural 
areas in the fourth and fifth class municipalities, as well as low-income households. These are 
areas where healthcare facilities and primary care are difficult to reach and access. 
Since BHWs are armed with the knowledge of the health, hygiene, and environmental profile of 
their local government units (LGUs), the evidence-based and cost effective health interventions 
that the BHWs provide are also responsive and sensitive to the cultural norms and customs of their 
barangays. They are indeed the frontliner contributors to the nation’s goal of achieving the 
country’s Universal Health Care.  
Despite the critical role of BHWs in community health and three decades since the enactment of 
the law, remuneration for the workers is severely lacking. The BHWs themselves expressed the 
need for sufficient and appropriate support from the national government, so that they could build 
their capacities and help the communities they serve.  
While support for BHWs are institutionalized through Republic Act (RA) No. 7883 or the 
Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act, there are still gaps in the law’s 
implementation, especially with their legally-mandated benefits and incentives.  
This measure seeks to create the Magna Carta for BHWs, to standardize the honorarium and 
allowance. The Magna Carta also seeks to expand their existing incentives, ensuring job security 
befitting of their service.  
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In addition, this measure also professionalizes the health care services rendered by the BHWs by 
establishing a BHW registration and accreditation with the local health board.  
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
       Representative 
    3rd District, Cotabato Province 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samanta Taliño Santos 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF BARANGAY HEALTH 
WORKERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of Barangay 
Health Workers.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to 
health development. Pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to make essential goods, healthcare, and 
other social services available to all the people. In line with the country's commitment to 
accomplish health indicator targets under United Nations Millennium Development Goals 
(MDGs), the State shall adopt policies that promote the welfare and well-being of barangay health 
workers who are at the forefront of the delivery of healthcare at the grassroots level, and which 
shall effectively harness their potential as partners in development 
SECTION 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, the term "barangay health worker" shall 
refer to a person who has undergone training under any accredited government and non-
government organization and who voluntarily renders primary healthcare services in the 
community after having been accredited to function as such by the local health board in accordance 
with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health (DOH). 
SECTION 4. Registration. - Barangay health workers (BHWs) shall be registered with 
the local health board in the city or municipality in which they render service. The registered health 
workers shall be given appropriate proof of said registration.  
The municipal and city health offices shall regularly maintain and update the BHW 
Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation and shall submit the same to the municipal or 
city health board. The local health offices shall submit a copy of their respective updated BHW 
registry to the Provincial Health Office which shall consolidate all registries. Upon the validation 
of the Provincial BHW Federation, the consolidated Provincial Registry shall be submitted to the 
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Provincial Health Board, and the same shall be posted on the municipal or city bulletin boards and 
barangay health centers.  
 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every year to the 
DOH at the regional and national levels for consolidation. The DOH is hereby mandated to 
maintain a national register of BHWs.  
 
In order to qualify for registration, a barangay health worker must:  
 
(a) Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and satisfactorily for 
at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the filing of an application for registration 
in the barangay as certified by the Rural Health Midwife (RHM) or public health nurse assigned 
to the barangay and by the head of the barangay health workers association;  
 
(b) Have completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed by the DOH 
and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-recognized academic institution, or 
non-governmental organization (NGO);  
 
(c) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing of the application for 
registration; and,  
 
(d) Be physically and mentally fit.  
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation with the 
Provincial Health Office and DOH, to provide the BHW applicants with basic orientation and 
training within six (6) months from the date of approval of their application.  
 
SECTION 5. Accreditation. - To further professionalize the health care services rendered 
by the BHWs and ensure the health and welfare of the community, a duly registered BHW must 
be accredited by the municipal or city health board. The municipal or city health board shall issue 
the certificate of accreditation to qualified BHWs. In order to qualify for accreditation, the 
applicant BHW must: 
 
(a) Be registered in accordance with Section 4 hereof; 
 
(b) Have completed in the locality at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory 
service immediately prior to the filing of an application for accreditation;  
 
(c) Have completed a regular training program on health care service and community-based 
health program, that would upgrade and develop the skills and competency of BHWs to 
perform their roles. The training program shall be institutionalized by the DOH, in 
cooperation with local government units.  
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city LGUs, in cooperation with the 
provincial government and the DOH, to provide the applicant BHWs the necessary support 
and opportunities for accreditation.  


 
A BHW must complete the regular training program on health care service and 
community-based health programs within five (5) years from registration.  
 
The municipal and city health boards or through their registration and accreditation 
committee shall act on the applications for accreditation of BHWs not later than thirty (30) 
days from the date of application.  
 
The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that are 
accessible to the general public.  
 
SECTION 6. Role and Duties of Barangay Health Workers. - As one of the key partners 
In a reformed health care delivery system, the DOH and LGUs shall support the roles of BHWs 
as:  
 
(a) Advocate - to support, promote and champion current health programs, projects, and 
activities to improve access to quality health services towards the improved health status 
of the community; 
 
(b) Educator - to guide and advise the community on the current DOH and health priorities 
of LGUs such as importance of birth plan and facility based delivery In reducing maternal 
and infant deaths; newborn screening for the early detection of congenital metabolic 
disorders which may leads to mental retardation and even death, among others;  
 
(c) Disseminator - to maintain regular communication with local professional health 
workers on health events and updates and concerns relevant to the community and inform 
the same to the community for appropriate action, if necessary 
 
(d) Coordinator - to facilitate access to any group or association of the community with a 
relevant network of or specific health and non-health service providers;  
 
(e) Record Keeper - to maintain updated records of health data, health activities and events 
in the community;  
 
(f) Health Care Service Provider - to assist and provide basic health care services as may 
be needed in the community in any health event. A BHW shall not engage in any partisan 
political activity. 
 
SECTION 7. Mandatory Appointment of Barangay Health Worker (BHW). - There shall 
be appointed at least one (1) BHW in every barangay for every twenty (20) households who shall 
be under the supervision and control of the DOH. The BHW so appointed shall coordinate closely 
with the local government health officer in the implementation of health programs in the locality 
As far as practicable, the BHW to be employed must be a resident of the barangay.  
 
The DOH shall determine the ratio of barangay health workers according to the number of 
households: Provided, That there shall be at least one (1) BHW for every twenty (20) households: 


Provided, further. That the total number of barangay health workers nationwide shall not be less 
than one percent (1%) of the total population.  
 
SECTION 8. Incentives and Benefits. - All BHWs who are actively and regularly 
performing their duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in the amount of not less than Three 
thousand pesos (P3,000.00) subject to adjustment based on the prevailing market value, in addition 
to the following incentives and benefits:  
 
(a) Hazard Allowance. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to hazard allowance in an 
amount to be determined by the local health board of the local government unit concerned, 
which in no case shall be less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month, subject to 
existing laws, rules, and regulations;  
 
(c) Subsistence Allowance. - All accredited BHWs who render service within the premises 
of isolated barangay health stations shall be entitled to subsistence allowance equivalent to 
the meals they take in the course of their duty, which shall be computed in accordance with 
prevailing circumstances as determined by the local government unit concerned, such 
allowance shall, in no case, be less than One hundred pesos (P100.00) per day;  
 
(d) Transportation Allowance. - All accredited BHWs, in the performance of their official 
duties, shall be entitled to a transportation allowance of not less than One thousand pesos 
(P1,000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules and regulations;  
 
(e) One-time Retirement Cash Incentive - An accredited BHW who has continuously and 
satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years shall be entitled to a one-time retirement 
cash incentive of not less than ONE HUNDRED thousand pesos (P100,000.00) in 
recognition of their loyalty and dedication, which shall be borne by the municipality or city 
concerned. The provincial government may provide assistance for this purpose, in the case 
of component cities;  
 
(f) Training, Education and CareerEnrichment Programs. - The DOH shall, in coordination 
with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DOH-recognized 
academic institutions, other concerned agencies, and non-government organizations, 
provide information on and opportunities for education and career enrichment for 
accredited BHWs, such as in the following programs: 
 
1. Educational programs which credit the years of primary health care service of 
the BHW towards higher education completion in institutions with step ladder 
curricula thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and knowledge for community 
work or to pursue further training as midwives, pharmacists, nurses or doctors;  
 
2. Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field immersion, and 
scholarships, among others; 
 


3. Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state colleges, to be granted to 
one (1) child of every barangay health worker who will not be able to take 
advantage of the above programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) hereof; and  
 
4. Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster preparedness, 
and other programs that address emergent community health problems and issues; 
 
(g) Health Benefits. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to the following health benefits 
during their incumbency:  
 
1. Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses, medicines, x-ray and 
other laboratory fees, when confined in any public hospital or health institution;  
 
2. Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Five thousand pesos 
(P5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of the barangay concerned, for expenses 
incurred in the nearest private hospital or clinic in case of extreme emergency where 
there is no available public hospital;  
 
3. Mandatory and immediate membership in the Philhealth as indirect contributors. 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
accredited BHWs not otherwise provided by law;  
 
(h) Insurance Coverage. - Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance coverage and 
benefits by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne by the 
LGU concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit package 
suited to the needs and unique circumstances of the BHWs;  
 
(i) Sick, Vacation, and Maternity Leaves. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to sick, 
vacation and maternity leaves as may be prescribed In the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act: Provided, that, the BHWs shall continue to receive their monthly 
honoraria while on leave, for such period In accordance with existing laws and practices.  
 
(j) Cash Gift. - All accredited BHWs are entitled to a cash gift not less than the minimum 
monthly honorary; to be given every December from the general fund of the barangay or 
from such other funds appropriated by the national government for the purpose;  
 
(k) Disability Benefit - An accredited BHW who sustains an injury or falls ill in the course 
of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two thousand pesos (P2,000,00) for 
every year of service. Provided, That when the BHW sustains permanent disability, the 
BHW shall be entitled to Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) monthly until his or her death;  
 
(l) Civil Service Eligibility. - A first-grade eligibility shall be granted to accredited BHWs 
who have rendered three (3) years continuous service as such: Provided, That should a 
BHW become a regular employee of the government, the total number of years served as 
such shall be credited to the HW's service in the computation of retirement benefits.  
 


No person duly accredited as a BMW shall be removed except for a valid cause to be 
determined by the Local Health Board (LHB): Provided, That if found to be unjustly 
removed from service, a BHW shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of benefits 
and Incentives from the time of termination up to the time of his reinstatement. The LHB 
shall resolve termination cases against a BHW judiciously not later than ninety (90) days 
from the receipt of a complaint;  
 
(m) Free Legal Services - Legal representation and consultation services shall be 
immediately provided by the Public Attorney's Office to a BHW in cases of coercion, 
interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against the BHW arising out 
of or in connection with the performance of their duties as such, regardless on whether the 
BHW is considered indigent or not; and  
 
(n) Preferential Access to Loan Facilities - The DOH in coordination with other concerned 
government agencies shall provide, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide organized BHWs access to loan 
services. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one percent (1%) of their 
loanable funds for organized BHW groups that have community-based Income-generating 
projects in support of health programs or activities.  
 
SECTION 9. Review by the Local Health Board. -Every Incentive or benefit for BHWs 
requiring expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and approved by the LHB. Such benefits 
and incentives may be increased, upon review of the LHB, after considering, among others, the 
present Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).  
 
SECTION 10. Discrimination Prohibited. - Discrimination against any BHW by reason 
of gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs and ethnic groupings In the exercise of 
their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.  
 
SECTION 11. Protection of BHWs. - The municipal, city, provincial governments, and 
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall establish a grievance 
mechanism as a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged acts of discrimination 
and unjust removal from the service. A BHW may appeal their grievances to the DILG.  
 
SECTION 12. Right to Self-organization. - A BHW shall have the right to freely form, 
join or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted 
activities, in a manner not contrary to law, and with utmost regard to service to patients and the 
continuous operation of barangay health services in the interest of public health, safety, or survival 
of patients. 
 
SECTION 13. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health Care 
Provider Network. -The president of the municipal or city association of BHWs shall be a member 
of the municipal or city local health board. The presidents of the association of BHWs of each 
component city and municipality associations of a province shall elect from among themselves 
their representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That, the BHW representatives to the 


health boards shall not be allowed to vote on the registration, accreditation and disciplinary or 
removal complaints of BHWs.  
 
The BHWs shall also form part of the health care provider network and shall participate in 
the Implementation of health care services and programs.  
 
SECTION 14. Continuous Capacity Budding for BHWs. - The DOH shall conduct 
continuous capacity building for BHWs to enhance and upgrade their knowledge and skills, 
including training programs conducted online and in major Philippine dialects.  
 
The DOH shall. In coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies, shall also 
assist the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials that highlight the collective 
experiences and learnings of BHWs and the use of traditional and complementary medicine.  
 
The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their BHWs and other 
health workers in coordination with TESDA, NGOs, and other agencies concerned.  
 
The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs that will allow them to 
benefit from ladderized training as provided under Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise known as 
the Philippine Qualification Framework Act, and Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise known as 
the Ladderized Education Act of 2014, including academic credits for health-related courses.  
 
SECTION 15. Penalty Clause. - Any local government official who violates any provision 
of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance with the law.  
 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the LGUs, other local funds, and 
the special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as the Universal Health 
Care Act.  
 
SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The DOH and the DILG shall, in 
consultation with the DepEd, the CSC, the GSIS, and other concerned government agencies and 
nongovernmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act not later 
than one hundred eighty days (180 days) from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. -If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.  
 
SECTION 19. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the 
"Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995'' is hereby repealed. All laws, 
decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed, or modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 20. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.  
 


Approved,