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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 835

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 government 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, initially filed by former Representative Leni Gerona-
Robredo (now Vice President) during the 16" Congress, 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 leeways 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.

Gabriel M. Bordado, Sr.
tative, Third District of Camarines Sur


Noaueone

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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

.
House Bill No._#35

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 goverment 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

b) 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.

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 Goverment 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) Atleast 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.


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‘Sec 5.Capacity Building for Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers - \n 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 fi for Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers.
PhilHHealth 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 Attomey's Office for cases
arising from acts committed in the performance of duty. Provided, that such legal services
shall continue, even after the expiration ofthe term of the Barangay volunteer, unt its final
disposition

Sec 6. Continuity of Barangay Services — In order to ensure the continuity of Barangay Services, the term
of ofice of all elected barangay officials after the effectivity ofthis Act shall be five (5) years.

b)

°)

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 bein full force and effect inthis Act.

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