NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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'22 JUL 12 A8S7
S. B. No. 303
Rl-CEiVED BY;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH CENTERS IN ALL BARANGAYS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The greatest God-given asset of any country is its people. Building a great nation 
requires healthy citizens. Accordingly, the government must be able to provide 
equitable and efficient access to health services starting at the base level of the 
community, the barangay.
There is a regional disparity regarding the distribution of healthcare facilities 
in which it is highly concentrated in urban areas, and thus, unable to cater to the needs 
of those people who are living in rural and far-flung areas. As of 2020, the Philippines 
has a total number of 42,026 barangays; however, the total number of barangay 
healthcare centers (BHCs) is only 23,280. This means that 18,766 or 47.2% of 
barangays do not have BHCs.1 The lack of barangay health centers is a reflection of 
how access to healthcare in the country remains highly inequitable due to 
governance-associated challenges such as lack of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 
19) interventions, accessibility of primary healthcare, and poor welfare of healthcare 
workers.
The City of Taguig continues to commit to making healthcare facilities 
accessible to citizens with thirty-one (31) Philhealth accredited BHCs for our twenty- 
eight (28) barangays. The medical personnel, especially Barangay Health Workers 
stationed in these facilities, are formally employed, receive regular salary, and enjoy 
numerous benefits, including performance incentive bonuses, training, overtime pay, 
and hazard pay, among others.
This measure seeks to help build a world class primary health care system 
throughout the country by mandating every barangay in the Philippines to establish a 
Barangay Health Center in three (3) years' time where it must be equipped with the 
following: (a) a health care center/ station; (b) healthcare workers, doctors, and 
medical staff; (c) and medicine, diagnostic equipment, and other healthcare facilities. 
In addition, Barangay Health Center personnel shall be made to conduct home 
visitations, to periodically determine the public health concerns in the community,
1 https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/factsfigures/diIg-facts-figures-2020124_c3876744b4.pdf
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monitor patients, provide medical care when needed, and to help disseminate health- 
related information.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought
ALAN PETE
ANERO
ETANO


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S.B.No. 303
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o3’' CIIH i I'
of ill?
•22 JUL12 A 8 57
Rt:CE!VcC)BV:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH CENTERS IN ALL BARANGAYS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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 "Health Centers in All 
Barangays Act".
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. - The State shall provide equitable and 
efficient access to health services starting at the base level of the community, the 
barangay. As such, it should be emphasized that all barangays must be equipped with 
the following: (a) a health care center/ station; (b) healthcare workers, doctors, and 
medical staff; (c) and medicine, diagnostic equipment, and other healthcare tools.
The State shall streamline healthcare services, decongest hospitals and lessen 
the workload of its healthcare workers, and address ongoing and long-term 
community health needs by building the capacity of the community health worker 
workforce and health facilities. The State also endeavors to educate the community 
members, including regarding effective strategies to promote healthy behaviors.
SECTION 3. Barangay Health Centers. - Healthcare that is based on practical, 
scientifically-sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology should be made 
universally accessible to individuals and families at the community level. Towards 
this end, every barangay in the Philippines is hereby mandated to establish a 
Barangay Health Center.
The province, city or municipality concerned shall provide financial assistance 
for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Barangay Health Centers 
within their respective localities.
The Sangguniang Barangay may call upon the public health sector and private 
volunteers, who are duly-licensed medical professionals, and utilize them to assist in 
the provision of primary healthcare and provide consultative services for medical 
needs of the members of the community.


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SECTION 4. Primary Health Program. - Barangay Health Centers shall 
implement a Primary Healthcare program in accordance with guidelines to be set by 
the Department of Health (DOH). Among others; the DOH shall:
a) Formulate the criteria for the selection, qualifications, and training of Barangay 
Health Workers and the standards for the implementation of the primary 
healthcare program in the barangay; and,
b) Coordinate activities of the barangay, governmental agencies, and 
nongovernment organizations in order that their services may be fully utilized 
for the attainment of the program goals.
SECTION 5. Barangay Health Workers and Medical Equipment. - Each 
Barangay Health Center shall have at least one (1] doctor, at least one (1) nurse, at 
least one (1) dentist, and a sufficient number of medical assistants as may be 
determined by the guidelines set by the DOH based on the population of the barangay 
and its proximity to existing public health facilities. Priority shall be given to remote 
areas and cities or municipalities with low percentage of health facilities. As far as 
practicable, Barangay Health Center personnel shall conduct home visits, to 
periodically determine the public health concerns in the community as well as to 
provide medical care, and monitor patients.
To enable the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Local 
Government Units to project the need for healthcare professionals and encourage the 
youth to pursue health-related courses, the DOH shall regularly submit to the CHED 
and LGUs the number of Barangay Health Workers and vacancies throughout the 
country.
The implementing agencies of this Act shall ensure that all barangays shall have 
a Barangay Health Center equipped with appropriate healthcare facilities within 
three (3) years from the implementation of this Act.
SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DOH shall immediately 
include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 7. Report to Congress. - One (1) year after the implementation of 
this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health jointly with the Secretary of the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government shall submit a written report to 
Congress containing the actions taken to implement the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts hereof not affected thereby shall 
remain valid.
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to 
the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.


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