Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. £448

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes to provide barangay tanods and barangay health workers
corresponding honorariums in order to help ease their financial burdens. It further
proposes to provide the barangay officials and volunteer workers with programs for
capacity building and improved barangay governance.

As the basic political unit, the barangays serve as the primary planning and
implementing unit of government policies and programs, as iterated in the Local
Government Code of 1991. The bill proposed aims to uphold local autonomy as
intended by the Constitution and the Local Government Code.

In addition to the proposed 500 pesos to a barangay health worker and to at least 20
tanods in each barangay, the barangays are also given the option to give additional
honorarium to the aforementioned volunteers. Trainings and programs shall also be
provided as well as Philhealth coverage and free legal services from the Public
Attorney's Office.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

,

LUIS INI AY” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quejon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2448

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
Strengthening the barangay unit through support for barangay officials and
barangay volunteer workers, amending republic act no. 7160, providing funds
therefor, and for other purposes

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Support for Barangay
Workers Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to
empower and strengthen our Barangay Volunteer Workers in order to sufficiently
provide front line government services to the Filipino people in the barangay level.
The State acknowledges the need to provide for the financial burden of rendering
service and the need to properly compensate and capacitate Barangay Officials and
Volunteers. Furthermore, the State recognizes the need to ensure continuity of
programs, projects and services of each barangay in order to effectively benefit our
people.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:

a. Barangay Health Worker (BHW) — a person who has undergone training
programs under 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); and

b. Barangay Tanod - all duly appointed members of the barangay tanod
brigades, which shall not be more than twenty (20) in each barangay as
prescribed by Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991.

SECTION 4. Honorarium of BHWs and Barangay Tanods. = |n order to ease the
financial burden on our barangay officials and volunteers, the following benefits shall
be given by the National Government for services rendered by the following
Barangay Workers:

a. One (1) BHW in each Barangay shall receive a monthly honorarium of not
less than Five Hundred (500) pesos from the DOH.

b. At least twenty (20) Tanods, in each barangay, shall receive a monthly
honorarium of not less than Five Hundred (500) pesos from the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Barangays may choose to give additional honorarium to the aforementioned
volunteers. Provided, that such additional honorarium shall be charged against the
local budgets of each barangay. Provided further, that Barangays shall ensure that
all BHWs receive the same honorarium.

SECTION 5. Capacity Building for Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers. —
In addition to financial benefits, the National Government shall provide the following
to Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers:

a. Training and workshops on how to effectively exercise their duty provided by
the DILG for Tanods and DOH for BHWs, and any other such training fit for
Barangay Officials and Volunteer Workers.

b. Philhealth coverage for BHWs, which shall medical examination and
treatment in government hospitals, and fully subsidized by the National


Government through the DOH. Provided, that indigent barangay volunteers
shall be covered through the full National Government subsidy scheme.

c. Free legal services from government lawyers or the Public Attomey’s Office
for cases arising from acts committed in the performance of duty. Provided,
that such legal services shall continue, even after the expiration of the term of
the Barangay volunteer, until its final disposition.

SECTION 6. Continuity of Barangay Services. = In order to ensure the continuity
of Barangay Services, the term of office of all elected barangay officials after the
effectivity of this Act shall be five (5) years.

No barangay elective official shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms in
the same position.

The power of the DILG regarding suspension, removal, recall, and other disciplinary
actions against offending Barangay Official, as prescribed by Republic Act No. 7160
otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, shall be in full force and
effect under this Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DILG, in consultation
with the National Liga ng mga Barangay, DOH, and the Commission on Elections,
shall issue the rules and regulations to implement this Act within ninety (90) days
after its approval.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this
Act.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations
or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days
after publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation
in the Philippines.

Approved,