SEV1:M EENTll CONGRESS OF THE REPEBLIC 
) 
O ETIIE PHlLllTIiNES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
■ 'S
.Ornate
p( ll,if l  i'rrff,- rP
‘17 
MAR 15 
AlO '47
SENATE
S.B.NO. 1394
R’iCHIVLijEV;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT STRENCiTIlENING THE IIEALTIICARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL 
AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE 
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF TRIBAL HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
A
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article II, Sections 15 and 22, provides:
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them.
Section 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural 
communities within the framework of national unity and development.
Our indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) lack of access to basic services especially 
healthcare is still a continuing problem. This is mostly due to the fact that ICCs are settled in 
far-flung areas which make it difficult for them to avail of the benefits of modern medicine 
and healthcare and sequentially makes them susceptible to serious health problems and 
complications.
This proposal seeks to establish and institutionalize the training of tribal health workers. 
Their designation is intended to help complement the existing efforts of barangay health 
workers and the DOM in providing primary healthcare in their respective communities in 
order to prevent health problems and pursue effective community-based health services.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
Senator
ES NANCY S. BINAY


SEVEM  EENTII CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
1 3 9 4
J e n n ie
'V r i j . j t 'i. f J f f i r ?  o t  t l ) f  i. 
. u r r i n r *
'17 
MAR 15 
m o ^ 7
REC£IVtL‘ c v;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL 
AM) INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE 
TRAINING AM) EMPLOYMENT OE TRIBAL HEALTH WORKERS AND EOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
SECTION 1. Short Title -  This Act shall be known as the “Tribal Health Workers Act of 
2017.”
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy and Objectives -  The Philippine Constitution of 1987 
provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services 
available to all the people at affordable cost. It is also the policy of the State to provide cheap 
and affordable quality medicine and medical services to citizens in far-flung areas and 
indigenous communities.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms -  As used in this Act, the following words and phrases 
shall be defined as:
(a) Barangay Health Worker -  RA 7883 defines barangay health workers as a person 
who has undergone health care training programs in any accredited government or 
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).
(b) Tribal Health Worker -  refers to members of ICC who have undergone health care 
training by either government or non-government organizations and renders 
voluntary health care in the tribal community.
SECTION 4. Tribal Health Workers -  all tribal communities which are located about ten 
kilometers (10km) from the barangay center are qualified to have tribal health workers 
(THW). The number of families in a community will determine the number of THW in that 
community -  One (1) tribal health worker for every thirty (30) families.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
SECTION 5. Selection and Training of Tribal Health Workers -  The tribal Chief shall 
appoint, in accordance with the traditions of the tribe, the tribal health worker and submit his 
name to the local health board who in turn shall register the appointed tribal health worker. 
The local health board will furnish a copy of the list of tribal health workers to the DOH 
which shall maintain a national list of tribal health workers.
SECTION 6. Responsibilities of tribal health workers -  The THW is responsible for 
providing primary health care to members of the tribes. He is also responsible for assisting, if 
needed, sick person/s to the nearest clinic or hospital.
Since primary health care may use herbal medicines that are traditional to the tribe, the THW 
is mandated to establish an herbal garden in the community. The barangay LGU, the 
municipal LGU and the CENRO of the DENR are hereby required to provide assistance to 
the THW in establishing such herbal garden.
SECTION 7. Benefits of Tribal Health Workers -  Similar to the Barangay Health Workers 
who are provided with a number of benefits under RA 7883, the THW are granted the 
following incentives and benefits:
(a) Free health care insurance and hospitalization -  the THW shall be provided with free 
PhilHealth Insurance. In addition, the THW shall be entitled to free hospitalization in 
case of work-related sickness or injury. The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) shall provide the insurance and bear the expenses of the 
hospitalization of the THW. The DSWD shall work closely with the local health 
boards in granting these benefits to the THW, particularly in identifying those who 
are entitled to such.
(b) Educational benefits -  the THW is entitled to free tuition in public high schools and 
universities. Should the THW not be able to avail of this incentive, he is allowed to 
transfer this benefit to any one of his/her legitimate children. This benefit can only be 
availed by active THWs.
(c) Continuing training -  the DOH shall be responsible for providing the continuing 
training for the THW on new and emerging primary health care management as well 
as new and emerging herbal medicines.
(d) Free legal services -  the Public Attorneys' Office shall provide free legal advice to 
THW if there are occasions that the latter needs one; provided, however, that the 
occasion arises from or in connection with the exercise of his duties and 
responsibilities as THW.
SECTION 8. Rules and Regidations of this Act -  the DOH, DSWD, DILG and DENR shall 
be responsible for the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this 
Act which shall be formulated within one hundred eighty (180) days upon its approval.
SECTION 9. Separability Clause -  If any provisions of this Act is declared invalid, the 
remainder, or any provisions of this Act is not affected thereby shall remain in force and in 
effect.


1 
SECTION 10. Repealing clause -  All laws, executive orders, proclamations, and other
2 
presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed, amended or
3 
modified accordingly.
4
5 
SECTION 11. Effectivity -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
6 
the OtTicial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
7
8 
Approved,