Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO., 155?

INTRODUCED BY REP. JULIENNE “JAM JAM” BARONDA ~*]

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution 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.”

By virtue of Section 17 of Title I of the 1991 Local Government Code, the delivery
of basic services and facilities such as health and social welfare services were
devolved to the local government units down to the barangay level that now
provides for the maintenance and operations of barangay health centers and
daycare centers.

However, with the continued exodus of doctors and nurses seeking higher paying
jobs abroad, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) have become indispensable allies
of the barangay in the delivery of health services at community level. They render
voluntary primary health care services despite the lack of allowances and benefits
that could at least compensate for their selfless volunteer work and initiatives.

Despite their valuable service, it is ironic that many BHWs continue to be
underprivileged and marginalized. Exposure to health risks and the lack of
compensation, allowance and benefits are only among the many challenges they
face.

Moreover, many barangays remain without or lacking in BHWs because there are
not enough mechanisms to ensure the steady supply of barangay health providers.

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This measure aims to address this community health dilemma as it mandates the
appointment of at least 1 barangay health worker in each and every barangay, to
be appointed by the municipal or city mayor, after proper accreditation with the
local health board. BHWs shall also be entitled to allowances and such other
benefits accorded to other appointed barangay officials. BHWs will enjoy security
of tenure as expressly provided and recognized by this proposed measure. These
are long overdue and well-deserved entitlements and benefits in recognition of
barangay health workers who continue to help nurture our citizens’ health and
wellness.

With the passage of RA 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law last February 20,
2019, it is our fervent hope that this measure will further promote health assistance
and increase the number of BHWs actively serving the people in every barangay,
strengthening the country’s thrust to make healthcare more affordable and
accessible.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JULIENNHJAM JAM” BARONDA
Iloilo City Lone District


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No___155?

INTRODUCED BY REP. JULIENNE “JAM JAM” BARONDA

AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
IN EVERY BARANGAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE,
FURTHER EXPANDING THE BENEFITS OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS 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 “Barangay Health
Workers Act of 2019”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 11 of
the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the State hereby declares the policy of according
utmost importance to the health needs of the nation and shall henceforth
endeavour to make essential goods, health and other social services available to
all the people at affordable cost. Toward this end, the State shall ensure that
accessible and quality health services are extended to each individual through the
barangay health workers as the primary channel for implementing the State's
health policies down to the barangay health needs, the State shall guarantee the
appointment of a health worker in every barangay as frontline health workers.

SECTION 3. Coverage.- The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to all
barangay health workers accredited to act as such by the local health board in
accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Health (DPH). For the
purposes of this Act, the term barangay health worker shall refer to a person who

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has undergone training program under any accredited government or non-
government organization primarily to render health care services.

SECTION 4. Section 387 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991 as amended, shall be further amended to read as
follows:

“Section 387. Chief Officials and Officers. (a) There shall be in each
barangay a punong barangay, seven (7) sangguniang barangay members, the
sangguniang kabataan chairman, a barangay secretary, [and] a barangay
treasurer, AND AT LEAST FIVE (5) BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
PROVIDED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
PER BARANGAY SHALL IN NO CASE BE MORE THAN 1% OF THE
BARANGAY’S TOTAL POPULATION.”

SECTION 5. A new provision shall be inserted between Sections 395 and
396 of the same Act to be denominated as Section 395-A, which shall read as
follows:

“SECTION 395-A. APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS OF
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS- THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER AS
ACCREDITED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY
HEALTH BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS AND BENEFITS ACT OF 1995, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
MUNICIPAL OR CITY MAYOR OF THE AREA WHERE SUCH BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKER WILL BE APPOINTED IS LOCATED. A BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALLOWANCES AND SUCH
OTHER BENEFITS TO WHICH OTHER APPOINTED BARANGAY OFFICIALS
MAY BE ENTITLED TO NO PERSON DULY APPOINTED AS A BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKER SHALL BE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR VALID CAUSE AS
PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS
AND ONLY AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING”

SECTION 6. Section 393, paragraphs (a) and (b) of the Local Government
Code of the Philippines, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:


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“Section 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials.-

(a) Barangay officials, including barangay tanods and members of the lupong
tagapamayapa, shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments
as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal. Or city ordinance in
accordance with the provisions of this code, but in no case shall it be less than One
Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) per month for the punong barangay and Six Hundred
Pesos (P600.00) per month for the sangguniang barangay members, barangay
treasurer, [and] barangay secretary AND BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS:
Provided, however that the annual appropriations for personal services shall be
subject to the budgetary limitations prescribed under Title Five, Book II of this
Code; PROVIDED FURTHERMORE, THAT THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS.
CODE SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE APPLICATION OF AND
ENTITLEMENT TO OTHER INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY
OFFICIALS AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW SUCH AS REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6942 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT.

(b) The punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the barangay
treasurer, [and] the barangay secretary AND THE BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKER shall also: xxx

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The Department of
Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the and the Civil Service
Commission, shall within ninety (90) days from the enactment of this Act,
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementations of this
Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause- If, for any reason, any provision of this
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause- All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations and administrative regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause- This Act shall take effect immediately
2. after its publication in at least two national newspapers of general circulation.

3 Approved,