Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4 44il
House Bill No

Introduced by
ANAKALUSUGAN REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution states that:

‘Article Il, Section 15: The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the

people and instill health consciousness among them.

Furthermore, it adds in Article XIII, Section 11 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.
There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women,

and children.”

The Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are the primary caregivers of public health.
They implement nutrition programs, maternal services, immunization, regular weighing of
children, provide first-aid assistance and analogous services. Being frontliners, they are
susceptible to acquiring contagious diseases. Given the importance and inherent danger of
their tasks, it is unfortunate that BHWs are only entitled to allowances depending on the
Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned. It is but just and equitable that we recognize the
contributions of these public servants by specifically allocating 1% of the internal revenue
allotment (IRA) which shall be solely dedicated to support Barangay Health related concerns,
including funding for the BHWs" regular wage, benefits, continuing education, and facilities.

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Considering the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

MICHAEL “MIKE” DEFENSOR

Re tative
ANAKALUSUGAN PARTY-LIST


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
. 411

House Bill No,

get a

Introduced by
ANAKALUSUGAN REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR

eS SS

AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 284 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS “HEALTH ALLOCATION ACT OF 2019.”

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 and cited as the “Health Allocation Act
of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Amendatory Provision. —Section 284 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise
known as the Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 284, Allotment of Internal Revenue Taxes. ~ Local Government units shall have a
share in the national internal revenue taxes based on the collection of the third fiscal year
preceding the current fiscal year as follows:

a. On the first year of the effectivity of this Code, thirty percent (30%);
b. On the second year, thirty-five percent (35%); and

©. On the third year and thereafter, forty percent (40%). Provided, That in the event that the
national government incurs an unmanageable public sector deficit, the President of the
Philippines is hereby authorized, upon the recommendation of Secretary of Finance, Secretary
of Interior and Local Government and Secretary of Budget and Management, and subject to

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consultation with the presiding officers of both House of Congress and the presidents of the
gx", to make the necessary adjustments in the intemal revenue allotment of local
government units but in no case shall the allotment be less than thirty percent (3096) of the
collection of national internal revenue taxes of the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal
year: Provided, further, That in the first year of the effectivity of this Code, the local
government units shall, in addition to the thirty percent (30%) internal revenue allotment
which shall include the cost of devolved functions for essential public services, be entitled to
receive the amount equivalent to the cost of devolved personal services.

PROVIDED THAT ONE PERCENT (1%) FROM THE ABOVEMENTIONED
FORTY PERCENT (40%) SHALL ACCRUE TO A SPECIAL ACCOUNT SOLELY
DEDICATED TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF BARANGGAY HEALTH RELATED
PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE REGULARIZATION OF BARANGGAY HEALTH
WORKERS ALLOWANCES AND ALLIED BENEFITS”

SECTION 3. Separability Clause, — If any provi ions of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall

continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules and

regulations or parts thereof which inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby

repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,