Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF REGISTERED NURSES FOR EVERY 
BARANGAY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a study conducted in 2022, it was cited that many regions in the country, 
more particularly in rural and conflict areas, remain underserved by health 
professionals.1 It was found that “less than twenty-five percent (25%) of cities and 
municipalities 
have 
met 
the 
WHO 
human 
resource 
for 
health 
density 
recommendation”2 in the Philippines which clearly implies the abject inaccessibility of 
health services.  
This problem is coupled by the migration of healthcare professionals, 
specifically nurses, most due to socio-economic hardships in the country.3 With this 
problem, there was a recorded instance of nurses who shifted careers in last year 
citing low salary and physical exhaustion owing to the pandemic.4  
To address this issue, this proposed bill ensures that at least every barangay 
has a ready and able nurse to help in address health concerns and relate information 
on basic hygiene, sanitation, and overall wellness. This proposed measure also 
endeavors to utilize the registered nurses in the Philippines to address the growing 
need for healthcare professionals in other parts of the country.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is sought. 
1 Outmigration and unequal distribution of Filipino physicians and nurses: An urgent call for investment 
in 
health 
human 
resource 
and 
systemic 
reform. 
Robredo, 
et 
al. 
(2022). 
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(22)00127-4/fulltext. 
2 Ibid. 
3 When the “heroes” don’t feel cared for”: The migration and resignation of Philippine nurses amidst the 
COVID-19 pandemic. Alibudbud, R. (2022). https://jogh.org/2022/jogh-12-03011. 
4 https://news.outsourceaccelerator.com/majority-of-filipino-nurses-switch-to-bpo-jobs/ 
October 6, 2022
2:22 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF REGISTERED NURSES FOR EVERY 
BARANGAY 
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 “Nurse in Every 
Barangay Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote 
and protect the right to health of all Filipinos and provide conditions for health 
empowerment where each individual has access to information and services that will 
bring about health and well-being. Towards this end, it is further declared to be the 
policy of the State to develop and preserve a reservoir of national talents, particularly 
in the medical field, to ensure that accessible and quality health services are extended 
to each individual. 
SECTION. 3. Program of the Employment of Nurses in Every Barangay. –
There is hereby established a program for the employment of nurses in each 
barangay, for the purpose of ensuring the delivery of health services, and provide 
information relating to hygiene, sanitation, and other health and safety measures to 
the poorest communities in rural areas as well as underprivileged communities in the 
urban areas, while providing gainful employment to registered nurses and utilizing their 
professional competencies. 
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SECTION 4. Role of Local Government Units. – Each local government unit 
is mandated to employ one (1) registered nurse in every barangay within their 
jurisdiction.  
 
The local government unit shall determine whether the need for additional 
registered nurses is necessary, based on the proportion of the population of a 
barangay.  
 
SECTION 5.  Recruitment, Selection, and Training. – The local government 
units shall secure the assistance of the Department of Health in recruiting, selecting, 
and in training the registered nurses employed by local government units to ensure 
their capability in addressing public health and wellness concerns of the barangays. 
 
For this purpose, the Department of Health is hereby mandated to issue 
guidelines setting the qualifications of nurses to be deployed to the barangays as well 
as come up with a module for the relevant training of these nurses. The guidelines to 
be set shall in no case discriminate against the hiring of fresh graduates or newly 
passed registered nurses.  
 
SECTION 6. Minimum Qualification of Nurses. – Nurses engaged under the 
program shall have the following minimum qualifications: 
a) Must have a valid RN license issued by the Professional Regulatory 
Commission (PRC); 
b) Must be willing to relocate to its assigned area, even temporarily; and 
c) Must have passion for public health concerns. 
 
SECTION 7. Certification. – Nurses under this program are required to provide 
an annual health status report regarding the average health and wellness of the 
barangay and must provide suggestions to the local government units to improve the 
health and wellness of the citizens of the barangay. 
 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement the 
program under this Act shall be initially appropriated out of the funds of the respective 
local government unit. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the full implementation of 
this program shall be included in the respective budget of the local government units 
in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DILG and the DOH shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations, as may be necessary to ensure the effective 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
 


SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.  
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,