Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In each barangays, there are barangay health workers who help in the 
dissemination of health safety protocols, as well as ensuring the presence of healthcare 
in their community. During the COVID-19, their efforts were invaluable as they 
served as our first line of defense towards preventing a more massive outbreak of the 
pandemic in the country. 
Their role and important participation as a line of defense against the COVID-
19 pandemic cannot be undermined. Unfortunately, the Government is still facing a 
lack of Barangay Health Workers. Whether or not there are enough Barangay Health 
Workers, what seems to be common is that there is a lack of a training and 
development program to enhance the skills of these workers. 
The purpose of this measure is to provide free Education and Training 
Programs for Barangay Health Workers. Aside from this, the bill seeks to entitle them 
with additional compensation and benefits. 
In the 18th Congress, this bill was filed by Representatives Belmonte, 
Hernandez, and Bagatsing. The measure was approved by the House of 
Representatives on third reading, and transmitted to the Senate.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
CREATING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER EDUCATION AND 
TRAINING PROGRAM, INCREASING COMPENSATION AND OTHER 
BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS (BHW), APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Barangay Health Workers 
Empowerment Act’. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. — It is the policy of the State to 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. In furtherance of this, the State shall endeavor to provide 
accessible and quality health services through barangay health workers as front-
liners in community-based health interventions. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. — The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to all 
barangay health workers under Republic Act No. 7883. For the purpose of this Act, 
the term barangay health worker shall refer to a person who has undergone training 
program under any accredited government or non-government organization 
primarily to render health care services, pursuant to Republic Act. No. 7883. 
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SECTION 4. Six-Month Education and Training Program for Community-Based 
Health Workers. — The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the 
University of the Philippines, shall develop a competency-based education and 
training curriculum for all barangay health workers. The curriculum shall train the 
community health workers as healthcare provider, community organizer, health 
service manager, trainer and educator, and researcher. It shall include basic 
orientation and training on health programs and institutionalized health service 
delivery system, primary healthcare, basic community organizing, local health 
research, social health insurance navigation, basic local resource generation and 
mobilization, training needs analysis, basic report writing and communication skills, 
and program planning and development. Courses on basic dental care, reproductive 
health, STI and HIV/AIDS prevention, nutrition, physical therapy, traditional and 
herbal medicine and reflexology shall be offered. 
SECTION 5. Accreditation and Competency Assessment. — The Department of 
Health, in coordination with local governments and the Civil Service Commission, 
shall conduct a competency assessment test upon completion of the Education and 
Training Program, provided that this requirement shall be waived for those who 
have served as Barangay Health Workers for five (5) or more years. Only those who 
have passed the assessment test or have served as BHWs for five years or more will 
be accredited. The Provincial Health Board, with the participation of TESDA, 
PhilHealth, and accredited training NGOs, is hereby mandated to carry out the 
accreditation of Barangay Health Workers. 
SECTION 6. Program Cost and Cost Sharing for Local Government Units. — The 
basic Education and Training Program shall be offered free of charge. Local 
governments shall adopt a cost-sharing financing scheme with the National 
Government through the DOH for the implementation of the basic course on 
Barangay Health Work depending on the income level of the concerned local 
government units. 
  
SECTION 7. Compensation and Other Incentives. — All accredited Barangay Health 
Workers shall be entitled to a monthly basic pay of six thousand pesos (PhP6,000.00). 
They shall likewise be entitled to the incentives and benefits provided under the 
Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, and shall be covered by all existing statutory 
benefits such as PAG- IBIG, GSIS and PhilHealth. In addition, they shall be given 
burial and disability assistance in case of death or if the BHW is afflicted by illness 
which results to disability, especially if such occurs in the duration of his service. A 
regular adjustment in monetary and other non- monetary incentives shall be made to 
help improve the living condition of Barangay Health Workers. 


A BHW who has served less than five (5) years upon the passage of this Act will be 
given a pro-rated amount based on years of service. BHWs will be given first priority 
in enlisting for the Education and Training Program. 
SECTION 8. Compensation Based on PhilHealth Utilization. — PhilHealth is 
directed to develop a compensation package for accredited BHWs based on 
PhilHealth utilization for programs including but not limited to social health 
insurance navigation, maternal neo-natal child health care and nutrition, primary 
care packages, rehabilitation and recovery of senior citizens and Persons with 
Disability (PWD), provided that compensation received from PhilHealth will be over 
and above the monthly basic pay. 
SECTION 9. Mandatory Continuing Community-Based Health Education. — The 
DOH, in cooperation with TESDA, will formulate a module for Mandatory 
Continuing Community-based Health Education (MCCHE). Each accredited BHW 
will be required to undergo an MCCHE at least every three (3) years of active service, 
or as warranted by the DOH. 
SECTION 10. Implementing Agencies. — Within one (1) year from the effectivity of 
this Act, the TESDA and DOH, with the participation of various health union 
representatives shall formulate, finalize and launch the BHW education training 
program, assessment, and national certification program. The Department of Interior 
and Local Government (DILG), DOH, LGUs, and other appropriate government 
agencies, with the participation of various health union representatives, shall provide 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act. The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be published in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
SECTION 11. Funding Source. — An initial allocation of Fifty Million Pesos 
(PhP50,000,000.00) shall be included in the General Appropriations to support the 
policies and objectives under this Act. Congress shall provide subsequent 
appropriations in the annual budget of the Department of Health from sin tax 
revenues. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
operational. 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof which are inconsistent with 
this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
in the Philippines. 
Approved.