NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 434
72 JUL12 P5 76
RI-CEIVlD by.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN 
BARANGAYS, AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR DUTIES AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution provides, in Article II, Section 15: "The State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them." If the State is Indeed to be true to Its duty, then it follows that the 
health and well-being of all Filipinos must be secured and preserved, regardless of 
their position or status in life.
There are unsung heroes in our midst who willingly put themselves at risk. If 
only to deliver health-related services to the parts of our communities that may be 
difficult to access. One can think of barangay Immunizations, dental checks, and even 
the emergent need for contact tracing as demanded by the pandemic, and realize that 
these were possible only because there were barangay health workers (BHWs) who 
fulfilled these often difficult tasks, the foot soldiers of our healthcare system.
Republic Act No. 7883 or "The Barangay Health Workers' Benefits and 
Incentives Act of 1995" provides benefits and allowances to BHWs. The problem, 
however, is that under this law the position remains without job security.
That is the gap that this bill aims to address. By mandating the appointment of 
Barangay Health Workers in every barangay, which is to be done by the city or 
municipal government, we thereby repeal RA 7883. At the same time, this proposed


bill grants BHWs security of tenure by ensuring that they will not be terminated without 
just cause.
By ensuring that our BHWs are properly recognized and compensated, we are 
also helping to ensure that the delivery of our health services is swift, efficient, and 
responsibly done. The swift passage of this bill shall stand as yet another proof that 
the State takes seriously its task of promoting the health of every Filipino by 
strengthening and safeguarding the position of our BHWs.
RONALD 
ROSA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 434
of m ar.-vrtni7
72 JUL12 P5 76
fti'CEiVU) BY:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN 
B ARAN GAYS, AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR DUTIES AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Health
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Workers Act'.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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protect and promote the right to health of the people by providing the conditions of
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health empowerment, where each individual has adequate access to information and
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services that will bring about health and well-being, and by delivering effective health
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care programs and services based on the needs of the communities.
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Towards this end, the State recognizes that the Primary Health Care Approach
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is an effective strategy towards realizing health empowerment and effective health
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care programs and services through community-based participatory strategies. The
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State recognizes, moreover, the indispensable role of Barangay Health Workers as the
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frontliners in the Primary Health Care Approach; and the importance of strengthening
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and systematizing their services, and of providing them just compensation, consistent
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with the principle of equal pay for equal work and work of equal value.
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Sec. 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, the term "Barangay Health Worker
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(BHW)" shall refer to a person who has undergone training programs under any
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accredited government and non-government organization and who voluntarily renders
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primary health care services in the community after having been accredited to function
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as such by the local health board in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by
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the DOH;
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Sec. 4. Appointment and Qualifications. — There shall be appointed in each
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barangay such number of BHWs as the Department of Health (DOH) shall determine
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and recommend in consideration of the number of households in a barangay:
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Provided, That the total number of BHWs per barangay shall not be less than three
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(3), nor more than one percent (1%) of the barangay’s total population.
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The city or municipal mayor, as the case may be, shall appoint the BHWs in all
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barangays in the city or municipality on the strength of their accreditation by the local
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health board: Provided, That the local health board shall only issue accreditation to
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the following:
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(a) A person who has completed the BHW training program of the DOH, or the
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Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), or
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undergone a training specific for BHW by a TESDA-accredited or DOH-
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accredited institution, and has passed the BHW training assessment, and
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obtained the equivalent certification;
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(b) All active barangay health workers at the time of the effectivity of this Act,
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regardless of accreditation or training status, who have previously served for
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at least one (1) year: Provided, That they undergo and pass the BHW
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assessment by DOH/TESDA-accredited assessors, and obtained the equivalent
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certification.
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All active and existing barangay health workers accredited by the local health
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board under Republic Act No. 7883 shall be given preference in the appointment of
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BHWs pursuant to this Act.
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Sec. 5. Duties and Responsibilities. -The BHWs shall perform in their respective
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barangays the following duties and responsibilities:
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(a) Those which the DOH, or the city, municipality or barangay Sanggunian
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shall provide by ordinance, subject to the guidelines to be promulgated


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jointly by the DOH and the Department of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), in connection with the delivery of basic and primary health care 
services, the implementation of family planning, feeding and nutrition, and 
immunization programs, disaster response and mitigation, sanitation 
programs, and anti-drug abuse rehabilitation and information campaigns, 
and the establishment of national or local health management information 
systems;
(b) Provide assistance to physicians, dentists, nurses, nutritionists, or midwives 
who are employed, stationed, or are otherwise providing services at the 
barangay health center, daycare center or birthing center;
(c) Administer first aids, and respond in natural calamities and disaster; and,
(d) Gather data about the health profile of the barangay. Incidence of 
communicable or chronic diseases, environmental or health hazards in the 
barangay, and other public health-relevant event or Information, and report the 
same to the local health board.
Sec. 6. Incentives and Benefits. - All BHWs who are actively and regularly 
performing their duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria In the amount of not 
less than Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) subject to adjustment based on the 
prevailing market value, in addition to the following incentives and benefits:
(a) Privileges for the BHWs. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to twenty 
percent (20%) discount on all the items enumerated under Section 4(a) 
of Republic Act No. 9994 otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior 
Citizens Act of 2010": Provided, That the privileges shall not be claimed 
if the BHW Is eligible for a higher discount that may be granted by the 
commercial establishment or other existing laws.
The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted 
under this Section as tax deduction based on the cost of goods sold or 
services rendered: Provided, that the discount shall be allowed as 
deduction from the gross income for the same taxable year that the 
discount is granted: Provided, further, that the total amount of the 
claimed tax deduction net of value-added tax, if applicable, shall be 
included in their gross sales receipt for tax purposes and shall be subject


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to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
(b) Hazard Allowance. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to hazard 
allowance in an amount to be determined by the local health board of 
the LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than One thousand 
pesos (PI,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules, and 
regulations;
(c) Subsistence Allowance. - All accredited BHWs who render service within 
the premises of isolated barangay health stations 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 LGU concerned, such allowance 
shall, in no case, be less than One hundred pesos (PIOO.OO) per day;
(d) Transportation Allowance. - Ail accredited BHWs, in the performance of 
their official duties, shall be entitled to a transportation allowance of not 
less than One thousand pesos (PI,000.00) per month, subject to auditing 
rules and regulations;
(e) One-time Retirement Cash Incentive. - An accredited BHW who has 
continuously and satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years shall 
be entitled to a one-time retirement cash incentive of not less than Ten 
thousand pesos (P10,000.00) in recognition of their loyalty and 
dedication, which shall be borne by the municipality or city concerned. 
The provincial government may provide assistance for this purpose, in 
the case of component cities;
(f) Training, Education and Career Enrichment Programs. — The DOH sha 11, 
in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission 
on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA), DOH-recognized academic Institutions, 
other concerned agencies and nongovernment organizations, provide 
information on and opportunities for education and career enrichment 
for accredited BHWs, such as in the following programs:


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(1) Educational programs which credit the years of primary 
healthcare service of the BHW towards higher education 
completion in institutions with stepladder curricula thus allowing 
them to upgrade their skills and Knowledge for community work 
or to pursue further training as midwives, pharmacists, nurses or 
doctors;
(2) Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field 
immersion, and scholarships, among others;
(3) Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state colleges, 
to be granted to one (1) child of every barangay health worker 
who will not be able to take advantage of the programs described 
in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) hereof; and
(4) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster 
preparedness and other programs that address emergent 
community health problems and issues.
(g) Health Benefits. - All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to the following 
health benefits during their incumbency:
(1) Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses 
medicines, x-ray and other laboratory fees, when confined in any 
public hospital or health institution;
(2) Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Five 
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of the 
barangay concerned, for expenses Incurred in the nearest private 
hospital or clinic in case of extreme emergency where there is no 
available public hospital;
(3) Mandatory and immediate membership in the PhilHealth as 
indirect contributors.
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health 
benefits to accredited BHWs not otherwise provided by law;
(h) Insurance Coverage. - Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance 
coverage and benefits by the Government Service Insurance System 
(GSIS) which shall be borne by the LGU concerned. For this purpose.


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the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit package suited to the needs 
and unique circumstances of the BHWs;
(i) Sick, Vacation and Maternity Leaves. — All accredited BHWs shall be 
entitled to sick, vacation and maternity leaves as may be prescribed in 
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act: Provided, That, the 
BHWs shall continue to receive their monthly honoraria while on leave, 
for such period in accordance with existing laws and practices;
(j) Cash Gift. - All accredited BHWs are entitled to a cash gift not less than 
the minimum monthly honoraria to be given every December from the 
general fund of the barangay or from such other funds appropriated by 
the national government for the purpose;
(k) Disabiiity Benefit - An accredited BHW who sustains an injury or falls ill 
in the course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two 
thousand pesos (P2,000.00) for every year of service.
(l) Civii Service Eiigibiiity. - A first grade eligibility shall be granted to 
accredited BHWs who have rendered three (3) years continuous service 
as such: Provided, That should a BHW become a regular employee of 
the government, the total numbers of years served as such shall be 
credited to the BHW's service in the computation of retirement benefits.
(m) Free Legai Services. - Legal representation and consultation services 
shall be immediately provided by the Public Attorney’s Office to a BHW 
In cases of coercion, interference, and in other civil and criminal cases 
filed by or against the BHW arising out of or in connection with the 
performance of their duties as such; and
(n) Preferentiai Access to Loan Faculties. - The DOH In coordination with 
other concerned government agencies shall provide, within one hundred 
eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall 
provide organized BHWs access to loan services. The agencies providing 
loan services will set aside one percent (1%) of their loanable funds for 
organized BHW groups that have community-based income generating 
projects in support of health programs or activities.


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Sec. 7. Security of Tenure. - All duly appointed BHWs shall not be terminated 
except for just cause and only after notice and hearing: Provided, That if a BHW Is 
found to be unjustly dismissed from work, they shall be entitled to reinstatement 
without loss of seniority rights.
Sec. 8. Impiementing Agencies. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of 
this Act, the DOH, DILG, TESDA, and local government units shall immediately 
appropriate funds necessary for the full implementation of this Act. Within the same 
period, the DOH, DILG and TESDA shall formulate, launch and institutionalize the BHW 
training program, assessment, and national certification program.
Sec. 9. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOH, DILG, In consultation with the local government units, 
and existing health workers union and barangay health workers organizations, shall 
promulgate the Implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this 
Act.
Sec. 10. Repealing Cause. - Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the 
"Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995", is hereby repealed. 
All other laws, decrees, orders, circulars. Issuances, rules and reguiations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 11. Separabiiity Cause. - If any provision or part hereof Is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the OfTiciai Gazette or\n a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,