Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL AND 
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TRAINING 
AND EMPLOYMENT OF TRIBAL HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Globally, indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) suffer from poorer 
health, are more likely to experience disability, and ultimately die younger 
than their non-indigenous counterparts. In the Philippines, evidence suggests 
that IPs are among the poorest, with low educational attainment and 
experience pervasive problem of undernutrition. They remain a marginalized 
sector of society, making them highly vulnerable to the same persistent 
nutritional and health problems non-IPs experience.1 
While this is the case, it is important to note that many of the most 
widespread causes of mortality among indigenous people (e.g. malnutrition, 
diarrhea, parasitic infections, etc.) are preventable and treatable. 
The ICCs’ lack of access to adequate healthcare is due in part to the 
physical and geographical barriers of their locations, their economic 
challenges, and the cultural barriers that limit their understanding of the 
social and cultural factors deriving from the knowledge, attitudes, and 
practices in health of indigenous people. In addition, finding health workers 
that speak and understand indigenous languages is difficult. This leads to 
poor communication between the health providers and indigenous people, 
thereby compromising the latter’s access to healthcare. 
1 Philippine Journal of Science, 2022 
August 1, 2022
8:15 am
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It is therefore crucial that there are culturally sensitive and appropriate 
interventions tailor-fit for the ICCs to improve their overall health and 
nutritional status in the country. 
 
To break all these barriers and improve the ICC’s access to quality 
healthcare, this bill seeks to establish and institutionalize the training of tribal 
health workers. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL AND 
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TRAINING 
AND EMPLOYMENT OF TRIBAL HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Tribal Health 
Workers Act”. 
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-
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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. 
 
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 Republic 
Act No. 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 Attorney’s 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. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of 
Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the National Commission 
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) shall be responsible for the formulation of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act which shall be 
formulated within one hundred fifty (150) days upon its approval. 
 
SECTION. 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision 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. 
 
SECTION 10. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
SECTION. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, proclamations, 
and other presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act shall be 
deemed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
 
Approved,