Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 38 1

Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Local Government Code of 1991 recognizes the role of the barangay as
the “primary planning and implementing unit of goverment policies, plans, programs,
Projects and activities in the community; as a forum wherein the collective views of
people may be expressed, crystallized and considered; and where disputes may be
amicably settled.” There is, in effect, a compelling need to empower barangay officials
and volunteers and to properly compensate their efforts.

This proposed legislation intends to strengthen barangay governance through
financial empowerment, capacity building and continuity of service by (i) granting
honoraria to barangay health workers and tanods; (ii) providing trainings, workshops,
free legal services and PhilHealth coverage to barangay officials and volunteers; and
(iii) giving barangay officials a 5-year term of office.

As a respected political scientist puts it, good and effective governance must
begin with the smallest political unit. The barangay must, therefore, be given additional
leeway to fulfil its role as a veritable catalyst of inclusive growth and development at
the grassroots level.

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

Sars {Wa ye
GABRIEL H. BORDADO, JR.
Third District, Camarines Sur



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

387

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY UNIT THROUGH SUPPORT FOR
BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND BARANGAY VOLUNTEER WORKERS, AMENDING
REPUBLIC ACT 7160, PROVIDING FUNDS THERFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Barangay Reform Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared policy of the state to empower
and strengthen our Barangay Officials and Barangay Volunteer Workers in order to
sufficiently provide front line government services to the Filipino people in the
barangay level. The State acknowledges the need to provide for the financial burden
of rendering service and the need to properly compensate and capacitate Barangay
Officials and Volunteers. Furthermore, the State recognizes the need to ensure
continuity of programs, projects and services of each barangay in order to effectively
benefit our people.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following shall mean:

a) Barangay Health Worker (BHW) shall refer to a person who has
undergone training programs under any accredited government and
non-government organization and who voluntarily renders primary
health care 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); and

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Barangay Tanod shall refer to all duly appointed members of the
barangay tanod brigades, which shall number not more than twenty (20)
in each barangay as prescribed by Republic Act 7160, otherwise known
as the Local Government Code of 1991.


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SEC. 4. Honorarium of BHWs and Barangay Tanods. - In order to ease the
financial burden on our barangay officials and volunteers, the following benefits shall
be given by the National Government for services rendered by the following Barangay
Workers:

a) One(1) BHW in each Barangay shall receive a monthly honorarium of,
not less than, Five Hundred (500) pesos from the Department of Health.

b) At least twenty Tanods, in each barangay, shall receive a monthly
honorarium of, not less than, Five Hundred (500) pesos from the
Department of Interior and Local Government

The Barangays may choose to give additional honorarium to the aforementioned
volunteers. Provided, that such additional honorarium shall be charged against the
local budgets of each barangay. Provided further, that Barangays shall ensure that all
BHWs receive the same honorarium.

SEC. 5. Capacity Building for Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers — In
addition to financial benefits, the National Government shall provide the following to
Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers:

a) Training and workshops on how to effectively exercise their duty
provided by the Department of Interior and Local Government for Tanods
and Department of Health for BHWs, and any other such training fit for
Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers.

PhilHealth coverage for BHWs, which shall include medical examination
and treatment in government hospitals, and fully subsidized by the
National Government through the Department of Health. Provided, that
indigent barangay volunteers shall be covered through the full national
government subsidy scheme.

Free legal services from government lawyers or the Public Attorney's
Office for cases arising from acts committed in the performance of duty.
Provided, that such legal services shall continue, even after the
expiration of the term of the Barangay volunteer, until its final disposition.

b)

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SEC. 6. Continuity of Barangay Services - In order to ensure the continuity of
Barangay Services, the term of office of all elected barangay officials after the
effectivity of this Act shall be five (5) years.

No barangay elective official shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms in the
same position

The power of the Department of Interior and Local Government regarding suspension,
removal, recall, and other disciplinary actions against offending Barangay Official, as
prescribed by Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of
1991, shall be in full force and effect in this Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of the Interior and
Local Government, in consultation with the National Liga ng mga Barangay,


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Department of Health, and the Commission on Elections, shall issue the rules and
regulations to implement this Act within ninety (90) days after its approval.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances or portion
thereof, as well as rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,