Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
Constitution Hills, Quezon City |

NINETEENTHCONGRESS
First Regular Session

3448

House Bill No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The term “barangay health worker” (BHW) refers 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.! Based from said definition, BHWs are trained
persons who voluntarily act as health educators, community organizers and
primary health care providers in local communities. BHWs are frontliners of
health care system in the country and they play a vital role in the society.
However, BHWs receive so little as their allowances despite the altruism that
they provide for their local communities. Our BHWs deserve more.

In an effort to promote and improve the social well-being and welfare of
BHWs, this Bill seeks to provide incentives and benefits for them in exchange
for the valuable service that they provide the country. Providing them with
such is a step forward to in guaranteeing their enhanced quality of life which
they most definitely deserve.

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

dw

EDWIN L, OLIVAREZ

' See. 3, RA No, 7883.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTHCONGRESS
First Regular Session
Z
House Bill No. 34 46

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR 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 for Barangay Health Workers".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is 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. Likewise, the Philippine government
is committed to the achievement of the millennium development goals
(MDGs), which includes targets on improving health indicators
globally It shall then be its declared policy to promote and improve
the social well- being 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 of Terms. -

a) Barangay Health Worker (BHW) - refers to a person who
has completed the basic training program for Barangay Health
Workers of DOH or training programs by any accredited
government or 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 (LHB);


b) Registered BHW - shall refer to an individual who has
qualified the definition stated under Sec.3a of this Act, whose
application for registration as BHW has been duly processed and
evaluated by the BHW-RAC and who shall render at least one year
of service in his/her barangay in fulfillment of the requirement for
accreditation stipulated under SEC. 8 of this Act.

c} Accredited BHW - shall refer to a registered BHW who
has been issued with a certificate of accreditation by the local
health board after having rendered at least one (1) year service
in the barangay as required under Sec. 8 of this Act, who
voluntarily renders primary health in the community and who shall be
entitled to the benefits and incentives under the act and be issued a
BHW privilege card.

d) BHW Registration and Accreditation Committee (BHW-
RAC) - refers to the local body established under Republic Act 7883
which facilitates the registration and accreditation of Barangay
Health Workers.

SEC. 4. Coverage - This policy shall cover all registered and
accredited barangay health workers nationwide © who voluntarily
render primary health care services and other health promotion
functions: Provided, That they are not receiving regular salaries from
any government agency or institution.

SEC. 5. Provision of Barangay Health Worker - There shall be
provided at least one (1) health worker in every barangay throughout
the country. Such health worker shall be under the control and
supervision of the Department of Health in close coordination
with the Local Government Health Officer. As far as practicable, the
barangay health worker to be employed must be living in the barangay
where he/she is to be assigned, or within the city or municipality in
which the barangay is to be found.

SEC. 6, Basic Training Program for Barangay Health Work- The
DOH shall develop a threes month training program for BHW applicants.
‘The first month that shall include basic orientation and training on
health programs and institutionalized health service delivery system,
primary healthcare, basic community organizing, local health research,
basic local resource generation and mobilization, training needs
analysis, basic report writing and communication skills, and program
planning and development. The program will also offer seminars on basic
dental care, reproductive health, STI and HIV/AIDS prevention, nutrition,
physical therapy, traditional and herbal medicine and reflexology.

As a requirement for the completion of the training program,
applicants shall undergo an internship program where they will render


health and community services in their own rural health units for two
months to integrate their learning from the orientation and with
community healthcare services delivery.

A certificate of completion shall be issued by the municipal health
officer to those who have finished the basic training program for
barangay health work.

‘The DOH shall also be responsible with the development and
updating of refresher courses that shall be availed by BHW s every three
years.

SEC. 7. Registration - The City/Municipal BHW Registration and
Accreditation Committee (BHW-RAC) established under Republic Act
7883, shall evaluate applications of BHWs and process the
registration and accreditation of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs)
The BHW-RAC shall propose the limitations on the number of BHWs per
municipality or city based on the health needs and accessibility of health
services in the area.

a) Qualifications for Registration - To qualify for registration, the
applicant must meet the qualification standards to be developed by DOH
and must undergo the DOH basic training program for BHWs.
Qualification standards shall include, among others, educational attainment
of the applicant.

b) Procedure of Registration - The BHW applicant shall submit to
BHW-RAC his/her application and documents as may be required by the
DOH. The BHW-RAC shall release result of the screening not later than
seven (7) working days after the submission of complete application
documents. If the applicant is deemed qualified, the BHW-RAC shall order
for the three-month training of the applicant. Upon the submission of the
certificate of completion, the BHW-RAC shall release a certificate of
registration to the applicant.

SEC. 8, Accreditation. - In order for Barangay Health Workers to be
entitled to some benefits and incentives under this Act, they must be duly-
accredited by the local health board: Provided, That the BHW who will be
cligible for accreditation must have rendered at least one (1) year of service
in his/her Barangay. Accredited BHWs shall be provided with a certificate
of accreditation and a BHW Privilege Card.

‘The accreditation to be granted by the local health board shall be valid
for 3 years. BHWs who wish to extend serving in their municipalities shall
apply for renewal of accreditation to the BHW-RAC.

The local health boards, through the provincial health boards in the
case of municipalities, shall furnish a copy of registered and accredited
BHWs to the DOH, which is hereby mandated to maintain a national
registry of barangay health workers.


SEC. 9. Re-Appointment and Re-Accreditation of BHWs - only
BHWS who have undergone a refresher course or training shall be re-
appointed by the BHW-RAC.

SEC. 10. BHW Registry - The CHDs shall be responsible in updating
the BHW registry in their respective regions and shall submit an updated
copy to the DOH Central office every quarter who shall be responsible in
maintaining the national BHW registry, which shall be the reference of
agencies that will be providing incentives and benefits to BHWs.

SEC. 11. BHW Privilege Card - Al] accredited Barangay Health
Workers shall be provided with a privilege card as a proof that they are
entitled to the benefits and incentives granted under this Act.

SEC. 12. Incentives and Benefits -

1. Hazard Allowance - All registered Barangay Health Workers
performing services in difficult areas, strife-tom or embattled areas,
distresses or isolated stations, diseases infested areas or in areas declared
under state of calamity or emergency for the duration thereof which expose
them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activity/eruption
occupational risks or perils to life as determined by the local health board
and the local government unit concerned shall receive hazard allowance:
Provided, That the hazard allowance shall not be more than the hazard
allowance received by the rural health nurse in the barangay as mandated
in Republic Act No.

2. Subsistence Allowance - All registered Barangay Health Workers
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:
Provided, That the subsistence allowance shall not be more than the
subsistence allowance received by the rural health nurse in the barangay
as mandated in Republic Act No. 7305.

3, Remote Assignment Allowance - All registered Barangay Health
Workers rendering services in remote areas or isolated barangays. which
for reasons of far distance makes health care facilities inaccessible for
the residents, shall be entitled to an incentive bonus in the form of remote
assignment allowance: Provided, That the remote assignment allowance



shall not be more than the subsistence allowance received by the rural
health nurse in the barangay as mandated in Republic Act No. 7305.

4 PHILHEALTH Compulsory Coverage- All accredited Barangay
Health Workers shall be enrolled in the National Health Insurance
program for them to receive and avail of an adequate package of personal
health services that must include in-patient hospital care, out-patient
care, emergency and transfer services, and also other supplementary
health benefits as may be defined by the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PHIC) and the local government unit (LGU) where they
render services.

5. Medical Examination - Compulsory medical examination shall
be provided free of charge to all public health workers before entering
BHW service and shall be repeated once a year as long as the BHW is
still rendering services in their respective barangays.

6.Compensation from Work-Related Injuries - Any injury incurred
by BHWs during the performance of their duties shall be compensated
The DOH shall release the corresponding rate of payment per possible
injury

7. Free Legal Services - Free legal representation and consultation
services shall likewise be available for all accredited barangay health
workers by the Public Attorney's Office. The DOH shall also endeavor
to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Integrated
Bar Association of the Philippines (IBP) to allow lawyers who will
provide free legal assistance to BHWs be granted mandatory continuing
legal education (MCLE) credits;

8, Training, Education and Career Enrichment Programs - The
DOH, in coordination with CHED and the University of the Philippines
shall provide scholarships and opportunities for continuing trainings
and studies for accredited BHWs. The program will include but not
limited to the following:

a. Scholarship programs to courses that will upgrade
their skills and knowledge for community work including but not
limited to Bachelor of Science in Community Health, Midwifey, Nursing,
Pharmacy and Medicine: Provided, that the BHW who will be afforded
with scholarships is required to serve for at least five years after
graduating from their chosen courses.

b. Study and exposure tours that will improve their knowledge
on community health works as may be funded by the DOH or the LGU
concerned.

9. Support for Program Scholars - Courses under the training,
education and career enrichment programs shall be offered to BHWs
free of charge. The Department of Health shall offer full scholarships,


socialized subsidies, and "study now pay later" schemes for BHWs availing
of the scholarship programs.

10. Accreditation of Work Experience for Degree Equivalent -
The DOH, in coordination with CHED, shall release mechanisms or
guidelines on the accreditation of years of service rendered by BHWs
equivalent to appropriate degree in the field of medicine and community
and social work that are available in state universities and colleges.

11. Grant of Scholarships to Dependents of BHWs - College
scholarships to any state universities and colleges or TESDA
scholarships shall be granted to a maximum of two (2) children of
accredited BHWs.

12. Civil Service Eligibility - a civil service eligibility shall be
granted toa duly accredited barangay health worker who has rendered
to at least five (5) years of continuous service to the barangay,
Provided, That the certificate of accreditation is valid. Provided,
further, that the one year service requirement for accreditation under
this act, which was rendered while a registered BHW. shall not be
considered in the five-year minimum requirement for the grant of civil
service eligibility. The eligibility granted shall be appropriate for
appointment to corresponding first level positions as may be determined
by the civil service commission

SEC, 13. Retirement Age - The mandatory retirement age for
BHW s shall be 65 years old. However, an optional retirement shall also
be available for those who have reached 60 to 64 years of age. Accredited
BHW s qualified under this provision can avail of the retirement benefits
under GSIS.

SEC. 14. Appropriations - An annual appropriation of Fifty
Million Pesos (PhP50,000,000) shall be included in the annual budget
of the Department of Health to finance the training modules of the
Barangay Health Workers. Another Fifty Million Pesos (PhP50,000,000)
shall be annually inchided in the budget of the Department of Interior
and Local Government to cover the two (2) month internship program
of the Barangay Health Workers, provided however, that this fund
allocation shall be released directly by the DILG to the respective
barangay upon their submission to and approval of the cost of Barangay
Health Workers internship program by the local health development
officer.

Premium payments for the benefits of BHWs 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.


Any expenditure by LGUs for the benefits of BHWs shall be
exempted from the limit on the allocation for personal services of LGUs
as provided for under Sec. 325, Article 1, Chapter 3, Title
5, Book 2 of Republic Act 7160.

SEC. 15. Penalties - any person, government official or health
worker who shall be proven to have assigned tasks to BHWs that
can only be performed by licensed health workers or any task that
are not part of the function of BHWs as provided in the IRR of RA
7883 shall pay a fine of not less than 5,000 pesos.

Local governments shall adopt a cost-sharing financing scheme
for the implementation of the basic course on Barangay Health
Workers depending on the income level of the concerned local
government units.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The
Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Interior
and Local Government, Civil Service Commission, CHED, TESDA,
GSIS and the National Confederation of Barangay Health Workers,
shall prepare within one hundred and eighty (180) days the necessary
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Rules and
regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30)
days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 17. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid, the remainder or any of this provision hereof not affected thereby
shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders.
presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or
parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,