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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
 ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  
 ) 
First Regular Session     
 ) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H.B. NO. _____ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE EMMARIE “LOLYPOP” OUANO-
DIZON 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF 
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution guarantees the protection and promotion of the health 
of its citizens and declares that the State shall endeavor to make health services 
available to everyone. As such, the role of health workers for the country is crucial 
in the delivery of health services.  
In 1991, Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, was 
enacted into law mandating that included among the functions of the barangay is to 
provide health and social welfare services which include maintenance of barangay 
health centers and day-care.  
A few years later, RA 7883 was passed to grant all benefits and incentives for 
accredited Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) for voluntary health services rendered 
to the community.  
These laws however currently do not address the disproportional number of 
BHWs based on the needs of each barangay. To provide better access to health care 
services, the State must provide adequate number of full-time health workers to 
competently deliver these services; the number of which is equitable to the present 
needs of each barangay.  
July 31, 2025
4:15 pm
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Furthermore, the health sector in the Philippines is beset by the exodus of 
nurses and doctors seeking higher paying jobs abroad leading to poor delivery of 
health services in the country, especially in the rural areas.  
Thus, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are being utilized increasingly in 
the delivery of health services especially in the remote and rural areas because of the 
existing health sector's human resource crisis.  
The crucial role that BHWs play makes them deserving of much more than 
what they are receiving today. By ensuring that there are enough BHWs in every 
barangay and by providing our BHWs protection through proper benefits and 
incentives, each barangay is guaranteed to have health workers who will have the 
security of tenure and thus perform their duties to the best of their abilities.  
This proposed measure aims to provide a reasonable set of incentives to 
BHWs to compensate them for the work that they perform in making health services 
accessible to all. This bill seeks to improve the overall barangay-level healthcare 
system by focusing on the welfare of frontliners, the BHWs, who are first in 
providing immediate medical care for most marginalized and underprivileged 
sectors of society.  
The passage of this proposed measure will not only grant due recognition to 
the valuable services that BHWs render, but will hopefully encourage more people 
to serve as BHWSs in their localities. With the designation of barangay health 
workers, citizens in all corners of the nation will be able to enjoy their right to 
accessible, affordable, and quality health care.  
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
EMMARIE “LOLYPOP” OUANO-DIZON 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE EMMARIE “LOLYPOP” OUANO-
DIZON 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF 
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS 
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 the "Magna Carta of 
Barangay Health Workers". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of people and adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development, and pursuant thereto, it shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, healthcare and other social services available to 
all the people. In line with the country’s commitment to accomplish health indicator 
targets under United Nations sustainable development goals, the State shall adopt 
policies that promote the welfare and well-being of barangay health workers who 
are the forefront of the delivery of health care at the grassroots level, and effectively 
harness their potential as partners in development. 
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SEC. 3. Definition. – As used in this Act, the term “barangay health worker” 
refers to a person who has undergone training under any accredited government or 
non-government organization (NGO), and who voluntarily renders primary 
healthcare services in the community after having been accredited to function as 
such by the local health board. 
 
SEC. 4. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all barangay health workers 
(BHWs) as defined under Section 3 of this Act: Provided, That all incentives and 
benefits granted under this Act shall extend only to duly accredited BHWs, who have 
undergone at least two (2) years of training: Provided, however, That duly registered 
barangay health workers shall be entitled to a monthly honoraria and hazard 
allowance as provided in Sec. 9 herein: Provided, further, That when the BHW 
receives a fixed salary under a permanent appointment in any government office, by 
election to another public office or by employment in the private sector, coverage 
under this Act shall automatically cease and the BHW shall be covered under 
applicable laws. 
 
SEC. 5. Registration. – All BHWs shall be registered with the local health 
board in the city or municipality in which they render service. Registered BHWs 
shall be given appropriate proof of said registration.  
 
The municipal and city health offices shall regularly update and maintain the 
BHW Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation. The BHW Registry shall 
be subject to the approval of the municipal or city health board. The local health 
offices shall submit a copy of the updated and duly approved registry to the 
Provincial Health Office for consolidation and validation with the assistance of the 
Provincial BHW Federation, which shall also be subject to the approval of the 
Provincial Health Board.  
 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be posted in the municipal or city bulletin 
board and barangay health centers. The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted 
on or before April 30 of every year to the Department of Health (DOH) at the 
regional and national levels for consolidation. The DOH is hereby mandated to 
maintain a national registry of BHWs. 
 
In order to qualify for registration, a Barangay Health Worker must: 
 
(a) Have rendered basic community health care services continuously and 
satisfactorily for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the filing 
of application for registration in the barangay as recommended by the Rural Health 


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Midwife (RHM) or public health nurse assigned to the barangay and by the head of 
the barangay health workers association and certified by the Sangguniang Barangay; 
(b) Have completed the basic orientation and training for BHWs as prescribed 
by the DOH and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-
recognized academic institution, or (NGO); 
(c) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of the filing of the 
application for registration; and, 
(d) Be physically and mentally fit. 
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city health offices, in cooperation 
with the Provincial Health Office and the DOH, to provide BHW applicants basic 
orientation and training within six (6) months from the date of approval of their 
application. 
 
SEC. 6. Accreditation. - To further professionalize the health care services 
rendered by the BHWs and ensure the health and welfare of the community, a duly 
registered BHW must be accredited by the municipal or city health board. 
 
The municipal or city health board shall issue a certificate of accreditation to 
qualified BHWs. In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW must: 
 
(a) Be registered in accordance with Section 5 hereof; 
(b) Have satisfactorily undertaken the role of a BHW in the locality as 
provided for in Section 7 hereof, for at least two (2) years of continuous and 
satisfactory service immediately prior to the filing of application for accreditation; 
(c) Have completed a regular training program on health care service and 
community-based health program in order to upgrade and develop the skills and 
competency required of a BHW. The training program shall be institutionalized by 
the DOH, in cooperation with local government units (LGUs). 
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal or city government, as the case maybe, in 
cooperation with the provincial government and DOH, to provide the applicant 
BHWs the necessary support and opportunities for accreditation. 
 
A BHW must complete the regular training program on health care service 
and community-based health program within five (5) years from registration. 
 
The municipal and city health boards or through their registration and 
accreditation committee shall act on the applications for accreditation of BHWs not 
than later thirty (30) days from the date of application. 


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The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is 
accessible to the general public. 
 
SEC. 7. Roles, and Duties and Responsibilities of Barangay Health 
Workers. - As one of the key partners in a reformed health care delivery system, the 
DOH and LGUs shall support BHWs as they perform the following roles: 
 
(a) Advocate - to support, promote and champion current health programs, 
projects, and activities to improve access to quality health services towards the 
improved health status of the community; 
(b) Educator - to guide and advise the community on the current DOH and 
health priorities of LGUs such as the importance of a birth plan and facility-based 
delivery in reducing maternal and infant deaths; newborn screening for the early 
detection of congenital metabolic disorders which may leads to mental retardation 
and even death, among others; 
(c) Disseminator - to maintain regular communication with local professional 
health workers on health events and updates and concerns relevant to the community 
and inform the same to the community for appropriate action, if necessary; 
(d) Linker - to facilitate access to any group or association of the community 
with a relevant network of or specific health and non-health service providers; 
(e) Record Keeper - to maintain updated records of health data, health 
activities and events in the community; 
(f) Health Care Service Provider – to assist and provide basic health care 
services as may be needed in the community in any health event. 
 
The BHW shall perform the following duties and responsibilities: 
 
(a) Height and weight monitoring, and reporting the same to the barangay; 
(b) Monitoring and following up of defaulted cases of immunization, family 
planning, tuberculosis compliance to treatment and others, and reporting the same 
to the barangay; 
(c) Reporting to the barangay any incidence of disease or any health cases in 
the community; 
(d) Communicating and coordinating with the community to participate in 
barangay health center activities; 
(e) Gathering of data about overall status of health of the community; 
(f) Administering first aid; 
(g) Conducting health visits; 
(h) Conducting birth planning for pregnant women; 
(i) Conducting health education; 


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(j) Strengthening referral systems; 
(k) Collecting sputum; 
(l) Identifying people with disease and sickness; 
(m)Community health profiling; 
(n) Psychosocial debriefing for stress and post-calamity initiatives; 
(o) Responding in natural calamities and disasters; and 
(p) Coordinating closely with the local government health officer in the 
implementation of health programs in the locality. 
 
SEC. 8. Number of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). – Subject to 
relevant laws, and in coordination with relevant government agencies and respective 
local government units, the number of BHWs in every barangay shall be guided by 
and based on the particular need of the barangay for BHW services. 
 
The DOH shall determine the ideal ratio of barangay health workers to the 
number of households: Provided, That the total number of barangay health workers 
nationwide shall not be less than one percent (1%) of the total population. 
 
The residents of the barangay must be given preference in the employment of 
BHWs. 
 
SEC. 9. Incentives and Benefits. - All accredited BHWs who are actively 
and regularly performing their duties and responsibilities shall be entitled to the 
following incentives and benefits: 
 
(a) Monthly Honoraria in the amount of not less than Three thousand pesos 
(P3,000.00), subject to adjustment based on the prevailing market value; 
(b) Hazard Allowance in an amount to be determined by the local health board 
of LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than One thousand pesos 
(P1,000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations; 
(c) Subsistence Allowance equivalent to the meals they take in the course of 
their duty, which shall be computed in accordance with prevailing conditions as 
determined by the LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than One hundred 
pesos (P100.00) per day: Provided, That the accredited BHW shall render service 
within the premises of isolated barangay health stations in order to make it available 
at any and all times; 
(d) Transportation Allowance of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) 
per month, subject to auditing rules and regulations, on the condition that the 
availment of transportation services are in line with the performance of the BHW’s 
official duties and responsibilities; 


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(e) One-time Gratuity Cash Incentive of not less than Ten thousand pesos 
(P10,000.00) in recognition of the BHW’s loyalty and dedication and for having 
continuously and satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years; 
(f) Discount Privileges for BHWs. – All BHWs shall be entitled to twenty 
percent (20%) discount on all the items enumerated under Section 4(a) of Republic 
Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010: 
Provided, That the privileges shall not be claimed if the BHW is eligible for a higher 
discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or other existing 
laws. 
 
The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this 
section as tax deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: 
Provided, That the discount shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income for 
the same taxable year that the discount is granted: Provided further, That the total 
amount of the claimed tax deduction net of VAT, if applicable, shall be included in 
their gross sales receipt for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation 
and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
(g) Training, Education, and Career Enrichment Programs. - The DOH shall, 
in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA), DOH-recognized academic institutions, other concerned agencies and 
non-government organizations, provide information on and opportunities for 
education and career enrichment for accredited BHWs, such as the following: 
 
1) Educational programs which credit the years of primary health care 
service of the BHW towards higher education completion in institutions with 
stepladder curricula, thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and knowledge 
for community work or to pursue further training as midwives, pharmacists, 
nurses or doctors; 
2) Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field 
immersion, scholarships; and 
3) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, disaster 
preparedness and other programs that address emergent community health 
problems and issues. 
 
(h) Health Benefits. – During their incumbency, all BHWs are entitled to the 
following health benefits: 
 


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1) Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses, 
medicines, x-ray and other laboratory fees, when confined in any public 
hospital or health institution; 
2) Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of five thousand 
pesos (P5,000.00) chargeable against the fund of the barangay concerned, for 
expenses incurred in the nearest private hospital or clinic in case of extreme 
emergency where there is no available public hospital; 
3) Mandatory and immediate membership in the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) as indirect contributors. 
 
(i) Insurance Coverage. - All BHWs shall be granted insurance coverage and 
benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be 
borne by the LGU concerned. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance 
benefit package suited to the needs and status of BHWs; 
(j) Sick and Maternity Leaves. – All BHWs shall be entitled to sick and 
maternity leaves as prescribed by the Local Health Board: Provided, That, the BHWs 
shall continue to receive their monthly honoraria while on leave, for such period in 
accordance with existing laws and practices; 
(k) Cash Gift – All accredited BHWs are entitled to cash gift of not less than 
the minimum monthly honoraria to be given every December from the general fund 
of the barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national government 
for the purpose; 
 
(l) Disability Benefit – An accredited BHW who sustains injury or sickness in 
the course of the performance of their duties shall be entitled to Two thousand pesos 
(P2,000.00) for every year of service; 
(m) Civil Service Eligibility. – A second grade eligibility shall be granted to 
accredited BHWs who have rendered five (5) years continuous service as such: 
Provided, That, should a BHW become a regular employee of the government, the 
total numbers of years served as such shall be credited to the BHWs service in 
computing the retirement benefits; 
(n) Free Legal Services. - Legal representation and consultation services shall 
be immediately provided by the Public Attorney’s Office to an accredited BHW in 
cases of coercion, interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or 
against BHWs arising out of or in connection with the performance of their duties 
as such; 
(o) Preferential Access to Loan. - The DOH in coordination with other 
concerned government agencies shall provide, within One hundred eighty (180) days 
after the effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide BHWs organized 
access to loan services. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one 


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percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized BHW groups that have 
community-based income generating projects in support of health programs or 
activities. 
 
Notwithstanding the limitations under this section, all registered BHWs shall 
be entitled to monthly honorariaand hazard allowance. 
 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
BHWs not otherwise provided by law. 
 
SEC. 10. Annual Review. – The local health boards shall conduct an annual 
review of the BHW program, performance, as well as the benefits, incentives and 
allowances enumerated in the immediately preceding Section taking into 
consideration the current consumer price index as published by the Philippine 
Statistics Authority. 
 
SEC. 11. Discrimination Prohibited. – Discrimination against any BHW by 
reason of gender, civil status, creed, religious, or political beliefs and ethnic 
groupings in the exercise of their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited. 
 
SEC. 12. Protection of BHWs. - No accredited BHW shall be removed 
except for a valid cause as determined by the Local Health Board (LHB). The LHB 
shall resolve termination cases against BHWs judiciously and not later than ninety 
(90) days from the receipt of a complaint: 
21 Provided, That if a BHW is found to be unjustly removed from service, the BHW 
shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of benefits and incentives from the 
time of termination up to the time of reinstatement. 
 
SEC. 13. Grievance Mechanism. – The LHB shall establish a grievance 
mechanism as a means of processing complaints of BHWs against alleged acts of 
discrimination and unjust removal from the service. The decisions rendered by the 
LHB shall be final and executory. 
 
SEC. 14. Municipal, City, Provincial, and National Federation of BHWs. 
– There shall be an organization of accredited BHWs for the purpose of electing the 
municipal, city, provincial, and national-level federation in order to ventilate, 
articulate, and crystalize issues affecting health care delivery system and with utmost 
regard to service to patients and the continuous operation of barangay health services 
in the interest of public health, safety, or survival of patients. 
 


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The BHW federation for municipalities, cities, and provinces shall elect their 
respective local federation boards of directors, and a set of national officers to 
comprise the national board of directors to be headed by a president. A Secretary-
General shall be chosen from among the national federation members to manage the 
day-to-day operation and activities of the federation. The respective boards of 
directors may create such other positions as may be necessary for the management 
of the affairs of the local and national federation. 
 
SEC. 15. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary Health 
Care Provider Network. – The President of the municipal or city federation of 
BHWs shall be a member of the municipal or city local health board. The respective 
presidents of the federation of BHWs of each city and municipality federation of a 
province shall elect from among themselves their representative to the provincial 
health board: Provided, That the BHW representatives to the local health boards 
shall not be allowed to vote on the registration, accreditation, and disciplinary or 
removal complaints of BHWs. 
 
The BHWs shall also be part of the health care provider network, in the 
implementation of health care services and programs. 
 
SEC. 16. Prohibition from Engaging in Partisan Political Activity. - No 
BHW shall engage in any partisan political activity. 
 
SEC. 17. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. - The DOH shall 
conduct continuous capacity building for BHWs that will enhance and upgrade their 
knowledge and skills through various forms including online learning and 
multimedia in major Philippine dialects. 
 
The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and other concerned agencies, 
assist the LGUs in the development of education modules or materials to promote 
the collective experiences and learnings of BHWs as well as to promote traditional 
and complementary medicine. 
 
The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their 
BHWs and other health workers in coordination with the TESDA, NGOs, and other 
agencies concerned. 
 
The LGUs shall also implement a development program for BHWs that will 
allow them to benefit from the ladderized training as provided under Republic Act 
No. 10968, otherwise known as the Philippine Qualification Framework Act, and 


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Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise known as the Ladderized Education Act of 2014, 
including academic credits for health-related courses. 
 
SEC. 18. Observance of BHW Day. – Every barangay shall commemorate 
BHW Day during April 7 of every year in recognition of the service of Barangay 
Health Workers, their heroic services in times of crises, and their indispensable role 
in promoting health and wellness among the citizenry. 
 
The DOH, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) and all local government unitsshall hold simple ceremonies or 
activities to highlight the indispensable role of BHWs in nation-building. 
 
SEC. 19. Penalty Clause. - Any local government official who violates any 
provision of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in accordance 
with law. 
 
SEC. 20. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the National Tax Allotment of the LGUs, other 
local funds, the special health fund under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known 
as the “Universal Health Care Act”. 
 
SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulation. – The DOH and the DILG 
shall, in consultation with the DepEd, CSC, GSIS, and other concerned government 
agencies and non-governmental entities, promulgate the rules and regulations to 
implement this Act not later than One hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity 
of this Act. 
 
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
 
SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as 
then “Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby 
repealed. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, which are 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended or accordingly. 
 
SEC. 24. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,