REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES care. OCT 08 208 ©
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rz
Quezon City :

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 8391

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Grassroots-level governance is no easy task. Barangay officials and volunteers carry
on their backs a heavy responsibility of delivering to our people primary public services on
health, public order, and safety, dispute resolution, and disaster risk reduction and
‘management, among others. Their role is of great importance that many of the government's
programs and initiatives, most especially on remote areas not easily accessible by the higher
levels of government, hinges on the actual capacity of the barangay government to faithfully
and effectively exercise their powers and functions.

Unfortunately, while the national government has imposed daunting tasks to barangay
officials and volunteer workers, it has failed to sufficiently compensate for the efforts they
exert for the benefit of their respective constituencies. As of now, these officials and
volunteer workers ranks the lowest among all civil servants in terms of remuneration,
benefits, and the privileges they are able to enjoy. Truly, it is a pity that they are too
neglected, gravely unappreciated, and insultingly undervalued under the present set-up.

It is in recognition of the valuable service rendered by our barangay officials and
volunteer workers that this bill is proposed. Its seeks to provide for the social security
benefits for barangay officials and volunteer workers by tapping the various goverment
instrumentalities such as the GSIS, PAG-IBIG Fund, and PHILHEALTH. If enacted, it will
also provide for the mandatory membership and enrollment of all barangay officials and
volunteers to the GSIS Life Insurance and Social Protection Program, including the PAG-
IBIG Fund Voluntary Membership Program.

In view of the national interest and of the general welfare of our barangay civil
servants, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No, 8391

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT.

PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Officials and
Volunteer Workers’ Social Security Benefits Act of 2018.”

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
empower government officials and public volunteer workers at the grassroots level. In line
with this policy and in cognizance of the crucial role of barangay officials and volunteer
workers in nation building, the State shall, through the provision of social security benefits,
protect their rights and promote their welfare,

SEC3.Coverage.- All Punong Barangays, Members of the Sangguniang Barangay,
Chairpersons of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Secretaries, Barangay Treasurers, and
qualified Members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay
Tanods, and other barangay volunteer workers shall be automatically covered by this Act:
Provided, That the coverage for qualified barangay volunteer workers shall be made in
accordance with pertinent laws and regulations and based on the qualification standards that
may be established by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other
government agencies concemed: Provided, further, That when the barangay official or
volunteer worker receives a fixed salary whether in the same capacity or by virtue of a
permanent appointment in any other government office, by election to another public office
or by employment in the private sector, their coverage under this Act shall automatically
cease and shall then be covered under the appropriate law/s: Provided, finally, Thant any of
the abovementioned barangay official or volunteer worker who shall automatically lose
coverage or cease to be covered by this Act by virtue of termination or resignation from
office for any lawful cause shall have the option to continue the coverage by paying the
required premiums thereon in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

SECA. Membership of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the
Government Service Insurance System.- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
shall establish social insurance program to provide life insurance and social protection to
barangay officials and volunteer workers in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.


SEC.S. Enrolment of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the National
Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. ‘The
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) shall enroll non-member barangay
officials and volunteer workers into the National Health Insurance Program in accordance
with pertinent laws and regulations.

‘SEC.6. Membership of Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers in the Voluntary
Membership Program of the Home Mutual Development Fund.- The Home Mutual
Development Fund (PAGIBIG Fund) shall enroll non-member barangay officials and
volunteer workers into the PAGIBIG Fund Voluntary Membership Program in accordance
with pertinent laws and regulations.

SEC.7. Report to Congress. — The GSIS, PHILHEALTH and PAGIBIG Fund shall
submit an annual report to Congress on the Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers’
Social Security Benefit Program. This report shall contain the necessary actuarial studies and
calculations to ensure the sustainability of the social security benefits program and the
financial stability of their respective agencies. GSIS, PHILHEALTH and PAGIBIG Fund
shall submit their respective report either in printed form or by way of electronic document.

SEC.8. Appropriations.- The funding requirement for the implementation of this Act
shall be initially sourced from the existing appropriations of the DILG and any funds in the
National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the
implementation of the provision of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC.9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DILG and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
shall, in coordination with the GSIS, the PAGIBIG Fund, and the PHILHEALTH and after
consultation with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LnB) and other directly affected
stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the
provision of this Act.

SEC.10. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and
other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,