Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3684

Introduced by Hon. Jerry P. Trefias

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Healthcare in the Philippines is very expensive, especially for our citizens who do not enjoy
the benefits of a high salary, Hence, the State has long endeavored to provide universal healthcare 10
all of its citizens,

Our barangay officials and employees are public servants who perform functions which are
as important as that of the national and local officials of our great Republic, Unfortunately, they only
receive a monthly honoraria, which is a pittance compared to the salaries of their counterparts in both
the public and private spheres. With the small amount of pay that they receive for their dedicated and
inspired service to their communities, our barangay officials and employees could not afford to enroll
themselves in the National Health Insurance Program of the country under the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), Compounded by the exorbitant increase in the Philhealth
premiums, our public servants working at the grassroots level could not afford to pay the monthly
contributions of Philhealth, depriving themselves of the universal healthcare touted by the
government.

It is therefore necessary for all barangay officials and employees to enjoy the benefits of
Philhealth, and for the national government to pay for their premiums given their meager
‘compensation.

The Constitution provides that it is a State policy to protect and promote the right to health of
all of our citizens.’ Moreover, it states 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 everyone at affordable cost.’ These Constitutional mapdafés are also
reflected in the declaration of principles and policies of the National Health ‘Act of 1995.3

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is highly ree/mmende

JE}

* Section 15, Article Il. The 1987 Philippine Constitution.
? Section 11, Article Xill. The 1987 Philippine Constitution.
* Section 2, Republic Act No. 7875


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BLL NO.8684

Introduced by Hon. Jerry P. Trefias

AN ACT PROVIDING MANDATORY PHILIPPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE
CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH) BENEFITS TO ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
EMPLOYEES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines duly assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the welfare of its barangay officials and employees. In pursuit thereof, the State
shall provide complete Philhealth benefits to all of the incumbent barangay officials and
employees.

Section 2. Coverage. - The Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawads, Barangay Tanods,
Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer of all barangays of the Republic of the Philippines
shall be covered by this Act

Section 3. Philhealth Benefits. - All barangay officials and employees stated in the
previous section shall enjoy complete Philhealth coverage under the National Health Insurance
‘Act of 1995. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in consultation and
coordination with Philhealth and the league representing barangay officials, shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act which shall cover the rate
of premiums to be paid exclusively by the national government.

Section 4. Appropriation. - The national government of the Republic of the Philippines
shall appropriate annually and include in the General Appropriations Act the total annual
premiums based on the actual number of barangay officials and employees covered under section
two hereof, as certified by the DILG, and in accordance with the rules and regulations to be
formulated to implement this Act as provided by the previous section. The entire appropriation
for the payments of the foregoing total annual premiums shall be released annually to Philhealth.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules
and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Separability Clause. — If any part ot provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue


32
33
34
35
36
37

to be in full force and effect.

Section 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation,

Approved