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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No__190

Introduced by Representative Ben P. Evardone

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are those persons accredited by the
Department of Health (DOH) to render basic healthcare services, especially in
grassroots, after having undergone health training programs under government
agencies and accredited non-government organizations. These BHWs are highly
respected as they do all of these work voluntarily, that means without monetary
remunerations except for very minimal allowances. Also, they are normally those
who reach the farthest comers of their barangay to offer health assistance to the
poorest residents in their locale.

What is ironic about their job is that they are in the forefront of delivering
health services to the communities yet they themselves are not covered by the
National Health Insurance Program.

This bill seeks to grant compulsory coverage to accredited BHWs in the
National Health Insurance Program. If enacted, this bill shall amend Republic Act
No. 7883, also known as the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives
Act of 1995, to add to Section 6 (Incentives and Benefits) PhilHealth coverage of
all accredited BHWs and their dependents.

It is also provided that the BHWs shall not be required to pay monthly
contributions and such other fees to avail of the program's benefits, The needed
premium contributions and standard monthly contributions thereafter shall be
covered by their respective local government unit.

In view of all of the aforementioned, immediate approval of this bill is
earnestly sought.

BEN P. EVARDONE
Representative, Lone District of Eastern Samar


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. __ 150

Introduced by Representative Ben P. Evardone

AN ACT
GRANTING COMPULSORY COVERAGE TO ACCREDITED
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7883, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the
“Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” is hereby
amended by adding a new subsection which shall read as follows:

“SEC. 6. Incentives and Benefits. - x x x

“(G) PHILHEALTH COMPULSORY COVERAGE. — ALL
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
SHALL BE ENROLLED IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THEM TO RECEIVE AND AVAIL
OF AN ADEQUATE PACKAGE OF PERSONAL HEALTH
SERVICES THAT MUST INCLUDE IN-PATIENT HOSPITAL
CARE, OUT-PATIENT CARE, EMERGENCY AND TRANSFER
SERVICES, AND ALSO OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY

HEALTH BENEFITS AS MAY BE DEFINED BY THE
PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATIO (PHIC) AND THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT (LGU) WHERE THEY RENDER
SERVICES.

“THE NEEDED PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS AND,
‘THEREAFTER, THE STANDARD MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS,
SHALL BE BORNE BY THE LGU CONCERNED; SUCH THAT,
UPON THE PASSAGE OF THIS ACT, THE BARANGAY HEALTH
WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS SHALL BE


AUTOMATICALLY ENTITLED TO THE FULL ENJOYMENT AND
AVAILMENT OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICES AS CONTAINED.
IN REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875 OR THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE ACT: PROVIDED, THAT THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT SHALL PROVIDE SUBSIDY FOR THE PROGRAM
TO FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH CLASS MIINICIPALITIES:
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT'S
SUBSIDY TO QUALIFIED LGU SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY
PERCENT (50%) OF THE NEEDED PREMIUM COST.

“THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS SHALL NOT BE
REQUIRED TO PAY MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS AND ALL
OTHER FEES OR CHARGES FOR THEM TO BE ENTITLED TO THE
PROGRAM'S BENEFITS.”

SEC. 2. Oversight Provision. .-Congress shall conduct a regular review of
this program which shall primarily evaluate its implementation with regard to its
impact and accomplishments. Such review shall be jointly undertaken by the
committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives which have legislative
jurisdiction over this program.

SEC. 3. Government Guarantee. - The government of the Republic of the
Philippines guarantees the financial viability of this program

SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations - The Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation, in consultation and coordination with the Department of the Interior
and Local Government and the leagues of governors, vice governors and mayors
of the Philippines, shall formulate within one hundred (100) days the rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid the remainder or any of the provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,