1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
3rd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives ERIC GO YAP and PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) serve as frontline health workers who 
provide basic health education and primary health care services to families in the 
barangay. In support of improved health outcomes throughout continuum of care, 
they conduct house-to-house to monitor maternal and child heath, perform first aid 
and vaccinations, distribute vitamins and medicines, and check environment health. 
During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, BHWs performed 
a critical role in connecting communities to primary care. As residents of the barangay 
they are serving, they have local knowledge which is vital in contact tracing and in 
assisting affected individuals. They monitor their barangays 24/7, assisting their local 
government in its efforts to contain the spread of the disease. 
To recognize their beyond measure contribution to the country, it is only 
appropriate to provide them with proper remuneration which shall compensate them 
and cover their basic needs. This bill seeks to provide for the Magna Carta of Barangay 
Health Workers. Under this measure, they shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in 
the amount not less than P3,000.000, in addition to other incentives and benefits, such 
as hazard allowance, subsistence allowance, transportation allowance, health benefits, 
insurance coverage, etc. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ERIC GO YAP 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
November 10, 2021
10:54 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
3rd Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representatives ERIC GO YAP and PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
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 Health Workers". 
SEC. 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 which shall endeavor to make 
essential goods, health and other social services available to all people. As the 
Philippines is committed to the achievement of the millennium development goals 
(MDGs), which includes targets on improving health indicators globally, it shall then 
pursue a policy of promoting and improving the social wellbeing and welfare of the 
Barangay Health Workers who are the forefront of the delivery of health care in the 
grassroots level. Towards this end, the State shall adopt policies that will guarantee 
enhanced quality of life of the Barangay Health Workers. 
SEC. 3. Definition. The term “barangay health worker” refers to a person who has 
undergone training  programs under any accredited government and non-
government organization and who voluntarily renders primary health 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) 
pursuant to Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the “Barangay 
Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995.”  
SEC. 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 update and maintain the 
BHW Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation and for approval of the 
municipal/city health board. The local health offices shall submit a copy of the 
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updated registry to the Provincial Health Office for consolidation and validation with 
the assistance of the Provincial BHW Federation and for approval of the Provincial 
Health Board, which shall be posted in the municipal/city bulletin board and 
barangay health centers.  
 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 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 application for registration in his barangay as certified by the Rural 
Health Midwife (RHM) or public health nurse assigned to his 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 the basic 
orientation and training for BHWs, within six (6) months from the date of their 
application.  
 
SEC. 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. 
 
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 satisfied their roles as provided in Section 6 hereof in his/her locality for 
at least two (2) years of continuous and satisfactory service immediately prior to 
the filing of 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, which shall be institutionalized 
by the DOH, in cooperation with local government units. 


 
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It shall be the duty of the municipal and city LGUs, in cooperation with the 
provincial government and 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 program 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 thirty (30) days.  
 
The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is 
accessible to the general public. 
 
SEC. 6. Number and Role of Barangay Health Workers. Notwithstanding the 
limitations prescribed under Section 325 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, 
otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, each barangay shall at least 
have one (1) BHW per twenty (20) households.  
 
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, 
project, and activities to improve access to and quality health services towards 
the improved health status of the community 
 
b. Educator - to guide, advise, counsel 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 catchment/community for appropriate 
action, if necessary; 
 
d. Linker - 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. 
 
No BHW shall be subjected to or engage in any partisan political activity. 


 
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SEC. 7.  Mandatory Appointment of Barangay Health Worker (BHW). There 
shall be appointed at least one (1) BHW in every barangay, who shall be under the 
supervision and control of the Department of Health (DOH), in close coordination 
with the Local Government Health Officer. As far as practicable, the BHW to be 
employed must be a resident of the barangay. 
 
The DOH shall determine the ideal ratio of barangay health workers to the 
number of households: Provided, that the total number of barangay health workers 
nationwide shall not be less than one percent (1%) of the total population.”  
 
SEC. 8. Incentives and Benefits. In recognition of their services and to aid them 
to perform their duties, 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 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; 
 
b. Subsistence Allowance. - BHWs who render service within the premise of 
isolated barangay health stations in order to make their services available at 
any and all times 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; 
 
c. Transportation Allowance. - All 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; 
 
d. 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 Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) 
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; 
 
e. Training, Education and Career Enrichment Programs. - The DOH, 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, shall provide information and opportunities for 
training, education and career enrichment programs for accredited BHWs, 
relevant to the following: 


 
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1. Educational programs which shall recognize years of primary health care 
service as credits to higher education in institutions with stepladder 
curricula that will entitle barangay health workers 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, training, grants, field 
immersion, scholarships, etc.; 
3. Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state colleges, to be 
granted to one child of every barangay health worker who will not be able 
to take advantage of the above programs; and 
4. Special training programs such as those traditional medicine, disaster 
preparedness and other programs that address emergent community 
health problems and issues. 
 
f. Health Benefits. - BHWs are 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. Ten percent (10%) discount and exemption from value added tax on the 
purchase of medicines and such other medical supplies, accessories and 
equipment unless confined in a public hospital or health institution; 
 
3. 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; 
 
4. Mandatory and immediate membership to the Philhealth as indirect 
contributors which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act based on the submission of the LGUss, pending the full implementation 
of Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care 
Act.  
 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
BHWs not otherwise provided by law;  
 
g. Insurance Coverage. - accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance coverage and 
benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be 
borne by the LGU concerned:  Provided, that the national government shall 
subsidize fifty percent (50%) of the contributions of fourth, fifth and sixth class 
municipalities. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit 
package suited to the needs and status of the BHWs; 
 


 
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h. Sick, Vacation and Maternity Leaves. – all 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 similar to existing laws and 
practices. 
 
i. Cash Gift – all BHWs are entitled to cash gift not less than the minimum 
monthly honoraria 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;  
 
j. Disability Benefit – Accredited BHWs who sustain injury or sickness arising out 
of and in the course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two 
thousand pesos (P2,000.00) for every year of service. 
 
k. Civil Service Eligibility. – A first grade eligibility shall be granted to accredited 
BHWs who have rendered Three years continuous service as such: Provided, 
That, should a BHWs become a regular employee of the government, the total 
numbers of years served as such shall be credited to his service in computing 
the retirement benefits.   
 
No person duly accredited as a BHW shall be removed except for a valid cause 
to be determined by the Local Health Board (LHB): Provided, that, if a BHW is 
found to be unjustly removed from service, he shall be entitled to reinstatement 
without loss of benefits and incentives from the time of his termination up to 
the time of his reinstatement.  The LHB shall resolve termination cases against 
BHWs judiciously not later than ninety (90) days from the receipt of a 
complaint. 
 
l. Free Legal Services. -  Legal representation and consultation services for BHWs 
shall be immediately provided by the Public Attorney’s office in cases of 
coercion, interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against 
BHWs arising out of or in connection with the performance of their duties as 
such. 
 
m. Preferential Access to Loan. -  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 to access to loan services by organized 
BHWs. 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. 
 
The incentives and benefits of BHWs in 4th, 5th and 6th class LGUs may be 
subsidized by the national government, which shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.  
 
SEC. 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 


 
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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).” 
 
 SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 11. Protection of BHWs. The municipality, city, province and the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall establish a mechanism 
for grievance or due process to address cases of discrimination and unjust removal of 
BHWs from the service. BHWs may appeal their grievances to the DILG. 
 
SEC. 12. Right to Self-organization. BHWs shall have the right to freely form, 
join or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful 
concerted activities for purposes 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. 
 
SEC. 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 each 
component city and municipality 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 in the 
implementation of health care services and programs. 
 
SEC 14. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. The DOH shall conduct 
continuous capacity building for BHWs that will enhance and upgrade their 
knowledge and skills through various forms including, but not limited to, online 
learning and multimedia in major Philippine dialects. 
 
The DOH, in coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies shall also 
assist the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials to promote the 
collective experiences and learnings of BHWs as well as to promote traditional and 
complementary medicine. 
 
The local government units 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 local government units shall also implement a development program for 
BHWs that will allow them to climb the education ladder as provided under ra 10968 
or the Philippine qualification framework, and Republic Act No. 10647 otherwise 


 
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known as the Ladderized Education Act of 2014, to provide an opportunity for BHWs 
to earn academic units in health professions education.  
 
SEC. 15. Funding. The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged 
against the following sources:  
 
a. Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for LGUs; 
b. Share of LGU’s in the national wealth; 
c. Share of LGUs from the Tobacco Excise Tax; 
d. Incomes of LGU’s derived from Local Economic Enterprises;  
e. Incomes of LGU’s derived from real property tax; and, 
f. Special Health Fund under Republic Act No.11223, or the Universal Health 
Care Act. 
 
SEC. 16. Penalty Clause. Any local government official concerned who violates 
any provision of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in 
accordance with law.  
 
SEC. 17. Rules and Regulation. Not later than One hundred eighty days (180) 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the DILG, in consultation with the 
DepEd, the CSC, the GSIS, and other concerned government agencies and non-
governmental organizations, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 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,