TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) pate 13 AUG 2005
First Regular Session ) TIME

BY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No, 3710

Introduced by Rep. CARMELO G. LAZATIN, JR.

ENHANCING THE INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS OF BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Barangay Health Workers play a major role in the provision of basic health services
to the constituents in the grassroots level. For the constituents, they are the first point of contact
for those secking health information and services from the government.

Hence, given their crucial role, there is a need for them to be properly trained and equipped
to ensure that they give the correct information and services that the constituents need.

At the same time, the State also realizes their vulnerability especially during the recent
pandemic, where the BHW have been heavily relied upon to deliver basic health services in the
barangay particularly those under lockdown.

While the BHWs already receive monthly honorarium from the municipality, city or
barangay, it is not sufficient to cover their daily requirements. In some municipalities, BHWs are
assigned to isolated barangays and would have to make do with what little resources they have to
perform their duties and to survive the current conditions in their area of assignment.

As such, it is deemed necessary that the State establish measures to ensure that they are
duly compensated and are given the appropriate incentives and benefits for them to efficiently aid
in implementation of health programs in the community.


Through this bill, the State seeks to enhance the incentives and benefits of the Barangay
Health Workers.

Its for this reason that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE BILL NO. 37 10

Introduced by Rep. CARMELO G. LAZATIN, JR.

AN ACT
ENHANCING THE INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS OF BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Title -This Act shall be known and cited as “Enhancing the Incentives and
Benefits of Barangay Health Workers Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- It is hereby the declared policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

‘The State recognizes that the key to achieving universal health care is the provision of
primary health care services through the support of the local government units. The state also
acknowledges the vital role of the Barangay Health Workers in the effective implementation of
the primary health care programs and as such, it shall develop policies to promote their well-being
and enhance their potentials as partners in nation-building.

To this end, the State shall establish measures to supplement the incentives and enhance
benefits for the Barangay Health Workers.


SECTION 3. Coverage- This Act shall cover all registered BHWs and all Local
Government Units and National Agencies that require the assistance of the BHW to extend the
delivery of primary health care services to the barangays.

SECTION 4. Incentives and benefits. All registered BHWs shall be entitled to an
honorarium of not less than three thousand (P3,000.00) pesos every month. Aside from this, they
shall be eligible to the receive following incentives and benefits:

a)

db)

°)

d)

©)

Hazard Allowance- All accredited BHWs shall be granted hazard allowance in the
amount that is to be determined by the local health board of the Local Government
Unit;

Subsistence allowance- An accredited BHW who renders services in an isolated
barangay shall be eligible to receive subsistence allowance equivalent to the meals
she would take while performing her duties. This allowance shall be based on the
current conditions which will be determined by the local government unit. However,
the amount of subsistence allowance per day shall not be less than One Hundred
pesos (P100.00) per day;

Transportation Allowance — All accredited BHWs whether they are assigned to
isolated barangays or not shall be granted transportation allowance of not less than
one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) every month, subject to the auditing rules and
regulations;

One-time Retirement Cash Incentive- An accredited BHW who has rendered
continuous service for at least fifteen (15) years shall be entitled to one-time
retirement cash incentive amounting to one hundred thousand (P100,000.00) which
shall be shouldered by the municipality or city;

Training, education and Career Enhancement Programs- it shall be the responsibility
of the Department of Health in coordination with other agencies such as DepEd,
Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), to provide information to the BHW on opportunities for Career
Enhancement Programs and education. This may come in the form of educational
programs, continuing education, study tours, grants, scholarships and special
training programs;

Health Benefits- All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to health benefits such as the
following:

1. Free Medical care package which includes surgery and surgical expenses,
medicines, x-ray and other laboratory fees when confined in any public
hospital or health institution;

2. Emergency assistance in the amount of Five thousand (P5,000.00)
chargeable to funds of concerned barangays in case of extreme emergency
and BHW has to be admitted in the nearest private hospital of clinic;



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3. Mandatory and immediate membership to PhilHlealth as indirect

contributors.

g) Insurance Coverage-Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance by the

Government Service Insurance System which in retum shall develop an insurance

package that is suitable to the needs of the subject;

Sick, vacation and maternity leaves- All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to sick,

vacation and matemity leave as may be provided in the implementing rules and

regulations of this Act.

i) Cash Gift- The concerned barangay shall allocate funds for the provision of cash gift
to all accredited BHWs that is not less than the minimum honorarium and will be
given every December;

4) Disability Benefit- in case of injury sustained while performing their duties,

accredited BHWs shall be entitled to Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) for every year

of service rendered prior to injury. In case however of permanent disability, the

BHW shall be given two thousand (P2,000.00) pesos monthly until her death;

Free Legal Services- In cases of coercion, interference and other criminal cases filed

against the BHW, a legal representation and consultation may be provided by the

Public Attorney’s Office:

1) Preferential Access to Loans- The DOH in coordination with other concemed
government agencies shall provide a mechanism to grant organized BHWs access to
loan services within one hundred eighty (180) days after effectivity of this Act.
Further, the DOH set aside one percent (1%) of the loanable funds for organized
BHW groups with income-generating projects supporting health programs or
activities.

4)

k)

SECTION 5. Review by the Local Health Board- The Local Health Board shall review
every incentive or benefit for BHWs that shall entail expenditure for the barangays. The LHB shall
have the discretion to increase the incentives based on the present Consumer Price Index as
published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

SECTION 6. Appropriations- The amount necessary for the implementation of this
ACT shall be allocated and charged against the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of the local
government units, other local funds and special health fund under the Universal Health Care Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulation- The DOH and the DILG shall
consult with concerned agencies such as DepEd, GSIS and non-governmental organizations and
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for this Act within one hundred and eighty
(180) days from effectivity of this Act.


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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and
effect.

SECTION 9 Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulation or parts
thereof contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,