Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
to, 3910

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE ROMEO M. ACOP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 11, Article XIIl, of the 1987 Philippine 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, Title I of the Local Government Code, the delivery of
health care services were devolved to the local government units (LGU). The goal
was to achieve self-reliance of LGUs to equip them with the skills and
competencies to deliver more direct and immediate health care services to the
people through the Community Health Teams (CHTs).

A CHT is composed of midwives, barangay health workers (BHWs),
barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs}, and parent leaders. These CHT are vital to
LGUs as they serve as links between the families within the communities and the
health care providers. These CHTs help in raising the familics’ awareness and
recognition of health risks; they also aid in promoting positive health behavior.’

In the furtherance of the service of CHTs and in the attainment of the
vision of the Department of Health, the role of BHWs is indispensable. The roles
and functions of BHWs have been continuously evolving to accommodate the
changing needs and demands of their catchment areas; they also adapt to the
changes in health system effected by the different approved policies, including
but not limited to: Republic Act No. 7883 (Barangay Health Workers Benefits and
Incentives Acts of 1995); DOH Department Memorandum No. 2009-0302
(Reiteration of DOH Support for the Continuing Development of BHWs); and
Administrative Order No. 2015-00282.

However, to date, problems continue to plague the BHW program, primarily
as a result of the poor implementation of current policies in place, such as the
outdated policy on BHW incentives and benefits which date as far back as 1995.
The reiteration of the guidelines for BHWs in 2009, while a somewhat

‘Anna Blaine B. Cayad-An. Situational Analysis Barangay Health Worker Program. Available at
htp:/ /caro.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BHW-Situational-analysis.paf,
2d.


commendable effort, still failed to solve the problems faced by BHWs.As a result
of the foregoing, the benefits and incentives due to the BHWs, as well as their
rights, have been distressingly neglected.

This Representation recognizes that at present there is no single policy
guiding community health in the Philippines. The country has a multitude of
strategies, guidelines, manuals, and governmental decrees that cover a wide
array of health areas through both vertical and comprehensive programming,
some dating as far back as the late 1970s.° It is in this view that this proposed
legislation is being pursued, catering specifically to BHWs, and providing a two-
pronged approach: 1) Improving the incentives system for our Barangay Health
Workers; and 2) Strengthening their capacities and competencies to respond fully
and adequately to the services required of them by equipping them with new
skills and knowledge.

In solidarity with more than 230,000* Barangay Health Workers
throughout the country, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Representative
2nd District, Antipolo City

8 Kristen Devlin, Kimberly Farnham Egan, & Tanvi Pandit-Rajani. 2016, Community Health Systems Catalog
Country Profile: Philippines. Arlington, VA: Advancing Partners & Communities.Available at:
htips://www.advancingpartners.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/fles/resources/apc_philippines_chs_c
atalog_profile_0.pdf.

‘National Barangay Health Workers Registry System. Available at: https://bhw.doh. gov. ph/report.php.


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

| wo, 3910

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE ROMEO M. ACOP

ANACT
ORDAINING THE “BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS’ INCENTIVE AND
DEVELOPMENT ACT (BIDA) OF 2022”
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 “Barangay Health

Workers’ Incentive and Development Act (BIDA) of 2022”.

SECTION 2.Declaration of Principles. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to
the people at affordable cost. In furtherance of this, the State shall endeavor to
provide accessible and quality health services through barangay health workers

(BHWs) as front liners in community-based health interventions.

SECTION 3.Coverage. - The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to all
barangay health workers under Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as

“Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995”. For purposes of


this Act, the term “barangay health worker” shall refer to a person who has
undergone a training program under any accredited government or non
government entity primarily to render health care services, pursuant to Republic

Act No. 7883.

SECTION 4.Six-Month Education and Training Program for Barangay Health
Workers. - The Department of Health, in coordination with other government and
non-government entities, shall develop a competency-based education and
training curriculum for all barangay health workers. The curriculum shall
include basic orientation and training on health programs and institutionalized
health service delivery system, primary healthcare, local health research, basic
community organizing, local health research, social health insurance navigation,
basic local resource generation and mobilization, training needs analysis, basic
report writing and communication skills, and program planning and
development. Courses on basic dental care, reproductive health, STD and
HIV/AIDS prevention, physical therapy, basic life support, traditional and herbal
medicine and reflexology shall also be offered. Such program shall be credited as
units earned in higher education institutions with stepladder curricula that will
entitle BHWs to upgrade their skills and knowledge for community work or to

pursue further training as midwives, pharmacists, nurses or doctors.

SECTION 5.Accreditation and Competency Assessment. - The Department of
Health (DOH) in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) and the
Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall conduct a competency test upon completion

of the Education and Training Program, provided that this requirement shall be


waived for those who have served as Barangay Health Workers for three (3) or
more years. Only those who have passed the assessment test or have served as
BHWs for three (3) years or more will be accredited. The Provincial Health Board,
with the participation of TESDA, PhilHealth, and accredited training NGOs, is

hereby mandated to carry out the accreditation of Barangay Health Workers.

SECTION 6.Grant of Barangay Health Worker Eligibility (BHWE), - The BHWE
shall be granted to Local Health Board-accredited barangay health worker who
has completed at least two (2) years of college education leading to a college
degree and has voluntarily rendered at least five (5) years of continuous, active
and satisfactory service as an accredited BHW to the community. Services
rendered prior to February 20, 1995, which is the date of approval of Republic

Act No. 7883, shall not be counted for purposes of the grant of eligibility.

For purposes of the grant of BHW Eligibility, services rendered to the community

should meet all of the following requisites:

(1) The services must be voluntary, meaning, the BHW has not been employed
and has not received any form of salary, or compensation, except honorarium, in

the entirety of the five-year period for service requirement;

The services rendered must be continuous for a minimum period of three (3)
years, meaning, the BHW should have served actively and satisfactorily on a full

time basis; and


(2) The BHW who had been hired by agency under Job Order status and/or

Contract of Service, may still avail of or qualify for the grant of BHWE.

(3) The BHWE shall be considered appropriate for first level positions in

government except for the following positions:

a. Positions under Category I of CSC MC No. 11, s. 1996 and CSC MC No. 3,

s. 2008, which require passing the TESDA trade tests;

b. Positions under Category IV of CSC MC No. 11, s. 1996, as amended by
CSC Resolution No. 974554, which require licenses issued by competent

authority;

c. Stenographer positions for these require special skills and competencies;

and

d. Positions which require passing Board examinations or those which are

governed by special laws.

(4) The date of effectivity of the BHWE shall be the date of approval of an

application by the CSC Regional Office concerned.

SECTION 7.Program Cost and Cost Sharing for Local Government Units. - The
Basic Education and Training Program shall be offered free of charge. Local

governments shall adopt a cost-sharing financing scheme with the National


Government through the DOH for the implementation of the basic course on
Barangay Health Work depending on the income level of the concerned local

government units.

SECTION 8.Compensation and Other Incentives. — All accredited Barangay Health
Workers shall be entitled to a monthly basic pay of Six Thousand Pesos (Php
6,000.00). They shall likewise be entitled to the incentives and benefits provided
under the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, and shall be covered by all
existing statutory benefits such as PAG-IBIG, GSIS and PhilHealth. In addition,
they shall be given burial and disability assistance in case of death or if the BHW
is afflicted by illness which results to disability, especially if such occurs in the
duration of his service. A regular adjustment in monetary and other non-
monetary incentives shall be made to help improve the living conditions of

Barangay Health Workers.

‘A BHW who has served less than three (3) years upon the passage of this Act
shall receive a pro-rated amount based on years of service. S/he will be given first

priority in enlisting for the Education and Training Program.

SECTION 9.Compensation Based on PhilHealth Utilization. - PhilHealth is directed
to develop a compensation package for accredited BHWs based on utilization
programs including, but not limited to, social health insurance navigation,
maternal neo-natal child health care and nutrition, primary care packages,
rehabilitation and recovery of senior citizens and Persons with Disability (PWD),

provided that compensation received from PhilHealth will be over and above the


monthly basic pay.

SECTION 10.Mandatory Continuing Community-based Health Education- The
DOH in cooperation with TESDA will formulate a module for Mandatory
Continuing Community-Based Health Education (MCCHE). Each accredited BHW
will be required to undergo a MCCHE at least every three (3) years of active

service, or as warranted by the DOH.

SECTION 11.Implementing Agencies. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of
this Act, the TESDA and DOH, with the participation of various health union
representatives, shall formulate, finalize and launch the BHW education training
program, assessment, and national certification program. The Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG), DOH, LGUs, and other appropriate
government agencies, with the participation of various health union
representatives shall provide the Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary
to carry out the provisions of this Act. The Implementing Rules and Regulations

shall be published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

SECTION 12.Funding Source. -An initial allocation of Fifty Million Pesos (Php
50,000,000,00) shall be included in the General Appropriations Act to support
the policies and objectives under this Act. Congress shall provide subsequent
appropriations in the annual budget of the Department of Health from “sin tax”

revenues.

SECTION 13.Non-diminution of Benefits. - Nothing in this law shall be construed


to eliminate or in any way diminish entitlements, or other benefits being provided
to or enjoyed by BHWs under Republic Act No. 7883 or other laws and issuances,

at the time of the promulgation of this Act.

SECTION 14.Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and

operational.

SECTION 15.Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, orders, circulars, issuances,
rules and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are

hereby amended or modified accordingly.
SECTION 16.£ffectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,