Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo,__2945

Introduced by Representative Kathryn Joyce F. Gorriceta, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In every comer of our barangays, the spirit of bayanihan thrives through the quiet, selfless service of
our barangay volunteers - our Barangay Health Workers, Tanods, Day Care Workers, Disaster
Responders, and countless others who serve without fanfare and often without fair compensation. In

the Second District of Iloilo, they are the unseen hands that care for the sick, keep our communities

, nurture our children, and respond first in times of disaster and emergency.

They are the lifeblood of grassroots govemance - the bridge between national programs and local
realities, yet their sacrifices remain largely unrecognized by our institutional systems. Despite their
crucial roles, these volunteers continue to work under precarious conditions: underpaid, under-

protected, and under-supported.

According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of
Health (DOH), there are currently over 200,000 Barangay Health Workers and more than 400,000
Barangay Tanods serving across 42,000 barangays nationwide. Many of them are regularly exposed
to health hazards, conflict situations, and natural calamities, yet few are given access to proper

training, insurance, or livelihood support.

This bill aims to change that reality by establishing a standardized compensation and support

framework for all barangay-based volunteers in the Second District of Hoilo.


It seeks to institutionalize a system of recognition and care through honoraria, access to health

services, capacity-building programs, and scholarship opportunities for their children.

Moreover, it strengthens the respon:

of Local Government Units and mandates oversight

mechanisms through the DILG, DOH, and DBM to ensure proper implementation and sustainability.

This is more than just a policy - it is a statement of values. It is a long-overdue acknowledgment that

the people who care for our communities deserve to be cared for in return.

Through this measure, we affirm that grassroots service is not charity - it is essential labor that

‘must be supported, dignified, and protected.

Let us pass this bill not only in recognition of the past sacrifices of our barangay volunteers, but also

in hopeful commitment to a more just and inclusive future for all who serve.

callin Mo.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,__ 2945

Introduced by Representative Kathryn Joyce F. Gorriceta, M.D.

AN ACT  INSTITUTIONALIZING AND ESTABLISHING A STANDARDIZED
COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT FRAMEWORK FOR BARANGAY-BASED
VOLUNTEERS SUCH AS BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, BARANGAY TANODS, AND
SIMILAR PERSONNEL, STRENGTHENING LGU RESPONSIBILITY, AND
INSTITUTIONALIZING OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS THROUGH THE DILG, DOH, AND
DBM

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 Volunteers
Compensation Equity and Support Act of the Second District of Iloilo.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the indispensable contributions of
barangay-based volunteers as frontliners in delivering basic services to the grassroots.
Despite their critical roles, most receive minimal or irregular compensation, with some
barangays providing as low as P500 monthly or none at all. It is the policy of the State to
institutionalize fair and equitable compensation, promote volunteer dignity, and strengthen
LGU accountability in accordance with the principles of decentralization and inclusive
governance.

SECTION 3. Objectives. This Act aims to:

a, Set a minimum standard for compensation of barangay volunteers across LGUs;
b. Provide access to social protection, training, and safety benefits;

c. Ensure budgetary support and compliance from LGUs and national agencies;

d. Establish a data-driven monitoring system for accountability and continuous improvement.

SECTION 4. Coverage. This Act shall cover registered barangay volunteers in the Second
District of Iloilo, including but not limited to:

a, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs)


b. Barangay Tanods
c. Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS)

d. Barangay Day Care Workers

e. Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Volunteers

f. Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs)

g. Other recognized volunteer positions as determined by our national agencies

SECTION 5. Barangay Volunteer Registry. Each municipality in the Second District shall
establish and maintain a Barangay Volunteer Registry, to be updated annually by the
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and Barangay Captains.
Volunteers, who are non-plantilla personnel accredited by barangays without formal
government employment, must be actively serving for at least six (6) months to be eli
for incentives under this Act.

SECTION 6. Minimum Compensation. Barangay volunteers shall receive a minimum
honorarium of P1,000 per month, subject to annual adjustments based on regional wage
indexation and LGU classification. LGUs are authorized to grant higher rates, subject to
fiscal capacity and DBM guidelines. Failure to comply must be justified in LGU budget
hearings and annual audit reports.

SECTION 7. Additional Benefits. All covered barangay volunteers shall be entitled to:

a. Annual Recognition and Service Awards for outstanding volunteers
b. Training and Capacity Building in disaster response, health, education, and

peacekeeping

c. Livelihood Assistance or micro-grants for volunteers wishing to start small
businesses

d. Scholarship Assistance for one child or dependent of the volunteer, subject to local
scholarship board guidelines

SECTION 8. Funding. The initial funding shall be sourced from the Internal Revenue
Allotment (IRA) or National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the municipalities in the Second
District. Subsequent funding shall be included in the annual budgets of the LGUs. National
agencies such as the DILG, DOH, and DSWD are encouraged to provide supplemental
support. LGUs are encouraged (o realign their savings and non-essential expenses (o fund the
programs outlined in this bill.

SECTION 8. Implementing Agencies and Responsibilities.
a. DILG as lead agency for accreditation, LGU compliance, reporting, and data registry;

b. DOH shall be responsible for health-related trainings, benefits, and monitoring of BHWs
and BNS;


c. DBM for issuing budgeting guidelines and technical support to LGUs on implementing the
compensation standards.

4. TESDA for life-support, first-aid, disaster risk management trainings, and other essential
upskilling programs necessary for the needs of the barangay volunteers.

‘These agencies shall jointly issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 90
days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 9. Monitoring and Evaluation.

LGUs shall submit annual compliance reports to the DILG and COA, showing: number of
covered barangay volunteers; amount allocated and disbursed; documentation of benefits
received.

Non-compliance without valid justification shall be flagged by the DILG and reported to the
Civil Service Commission and Congress.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,