Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF 
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State provides that it shall protect and promote the right to health 
of all Filipinos and instill health consciousness among them.  To this effect, 
the country’s health system abounds with legislation protecting and providing 
for the health of the citizens as well as the health care workers.  
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.  
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.  
November 7, 2022
8:20 am
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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. 
 
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, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
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” 
SECTION 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. 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’ Millennium 
Development Goals (MDGs), the State shall adopt policies that promote the 
welfare and well-being of barangay health workers who are at the forefront of 
the delivery of healthcare at the grassroots level, and which shall effectively 
harness their potential as partners in development. 
SECTION 3. Definition. – As used in this Act, the term “barangay health 
worker” refers to a person who has undergone training under any accredited 
government and nongovernment organization and who voluntarily renders 
primary healthcare 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) pursuant to Section 3 of 
Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the “Barangay Health Workers’ 
Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995.” 
SECTION 4. Registration. – Barangay health workers (BHWs) shall be 
registered with the local health board in the city or municipality in which they 
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render service. The registered health workers shall be given appropriate proof 
of said registration.  
 
The municipal and city health offices shall regularly maintain and update the 
BHW Registry with the assistance of the BHW Federation and shall submit 
the same to the municipal or city health board. The local health offices shall 
submit a copy of their respective updated BHW registry to the Provincial 
Health Office which shall consolidate all registries. Upon the validation of the 
Provincial BHW Federation, the consolidated Provincial Registry shall be 
submitted to the Provincial Health Board, and the same shall be posted in the 
municipal or city bulletin boards and barangay health centers.  
 
The Provincial BHW Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every 
year to the DOH at the regional and national levels for consolidation. The DOH 
is hereby mandated to maintain a national register 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 certified by the Rural Health Midwife (RHM) or public health 
nurse assigned to the barangay and by the head of the barangay 
health workers association;  
 
(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 
nongovernmental organization (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 DOH, to provide the BHW applicants 
with basic orientation and training within six (6) months from the date of 
approval of their application. 
 
SECTION 5. 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 the certificate of accreditation 
to qualified BHWs. In order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant BHW 
must:  
 


(a) Be registered in accordance with Section 4 hereof; 
 
(b) Have completed in the locality 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, that would upgrade and 
develop the skills and competency of BHWs to perform their roles. 
The training program shall be institutionalized by the DOH, in 
cooperation with local government units (LGUs). 
 
It shall be the duty of the municipal and city LGUs, in cooperation with the 
provincial government and the 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 later than thirty (30) days from the date of application.  
 
The DOH shall also maintain an updated roster of accredited BHWs that is 
accessible to the general public. 
 
SECTION 6. Number and Role of Barangay Health Workers. – 
Notwithstanding the limitations prescribed under Section 325(a) of Republic 
Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as “The Local Government Code 
of 1991”, each barangay shall at least have one (1) BHW for every twenty (20) 
households.  
 
As one of the key partners in a reformed healthcare delivery system, the DOH 
and LGUs shall support the roles of BHWs as: 
 
(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 importance of birth plan and 
facility-based delivery in reducing maternal and infant deaths; 
newborn screening for the early detection of congenital metabolic 
disorders which may lead 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) Coordinator - 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 healthcare 
services as may be needed in the community in any health event. 
 
A BHW shall not be required to engage in any partisan political activity. 
 
SECTION 7. Mandatory Appointment of Barangay Health Worker (BHW). 
– There shall be appointed at least one (1) BHW in every barangay for every 
twenty (20) households who shall be under the supervision and control of the 
DOH. The BHW so appointed shall coordinate closely with the local 
government health officer in the implementation of health programs in the 
locality. As far as practicable, the BHW to be employed must be a resident of 
the barangay.  
 
The DOH shall determine the ratio of barangay health workers according to 
the number of households: Provided, That there shall be at least one (1) BHW 
for every twenty (20) households: Provided, further, That the total number of 
barangay health workers nationwide shall not be less than one percent (1%) 
of the total population. 
 
SECTION 8. Incentives and Benefits. – All BHWs who are actively and 
regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to monthly honoraria in the 
amount of not less than Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) subject to 
adjustment based on the prevailing market value, in addition to the following 
incentives and benefits: 
 
(a) Privileges for the BHWs. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to a 
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 that 
may be granted by the commercial establishment 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 value-added tax, 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. 
 
(b) Hazard Allowance. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to hazard 
allowance in an amount to be determined by the local health board 
of the 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. – All accredited BHWs who render service 
within the premises of isolated barangay health stations shall be 
entitled to subsistence allowance equivalent to the meals they take 
in the course of their duty, which shall be computed in accordance 
with prevailing circumstances as determined by the LGU concerned. 
such allowance shall, in no case, be less than One hundred pesos 
(P100.00) per day;  
 
(d) Transportation 
Allowance. 
– 
All 
accredited 
BHWs, 
in 
the 
performance of their official duties, shall be entitled to a 
transportation allowance of not less than One thousand pesos 
(P1,000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules and regulations; 
(e)  One-time Retirement Cash Incentive. – An accredited BHW who has 
continuously and satisfactorily served for at least fifteen (15) years 
shall be entitled to a one-time retirement cash incentive of not less 
than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) in recognition of their loyalty 
and dedication, which shall be borne by the municipality or city 
concerned. The provincial government may provide assistance for 
this purpose, in the case of component cities;  
 
(f) 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 
nongovernment 
organizations, provide information on and opportunities for 
education and career enrichment for accredited BHWs, such as in 
the following programs: 
 
(1) Educational programs which credit the years of primary 
healthcare 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, and scholarships, among 
others;  


 
(3) Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state 
colleges, to be granted to one (1) child of every barangay 
health worker who will not be able to take advantage of 
the programs described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) 
hereof; and   
 
(4) Special training programs such as traditional medicine, 
disaster preparedness and other programs that address 
emergent community health problems and issues. 
 
(g) Health Benefits. – All accredited BHWs shall be entitled to the 
following health benefits during their incumbency:  
 
(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 12 (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 
PhilHealth as indirect contributors. 
 
The LGUs concerned shall also endeavor to provide other health benefits to 
accredited BHWs not otherwise provided by law; 
 
(h) Insurance Coverage. – Accredited BHWs shall be granted insurance 
coverage and benefits by 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 unique circumstances of the BHWs;  
 
(i) Sick, Vacation and Maternity Leaves. – All accredited BHWs shall be 
entitled to sick, vacation and maternity leaves as may be prescribed 
in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act: Provided, 
That, the BHWs shall continue to receive their monthly honoraria 
while on leave, for such period in accordance with existing laws and 
practices.  
 
(j) Cash Gift. – All accredited BHWs are entitled to a cash gift 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; 


 
(k) Disability Benefit. – An accredited BHW who sustains an injury or 
falls ill in the course of the performance of their duties shall be 
entitled to Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) for every year of service. 
 
(l) Civil Service Eligibility. – A first grade eligibility shall be granted to  
accredited BHWs who have rendered three (3) 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 BHW’s service in the computation of 
retirement benefits. 
 
No person duly accredited as a BHW shall be removed except for a 
valid cause to be determined by the Local Health Board (LHB): 
Provided, That if found to be unjustly removed from service, a BHW 
shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of benefits and 
incentives from the time of termination up to the time of his 
reinstatement. The LHB shall resolve termination cases against a 
BHW judiciously not later than ninety (90) days from the receipt of 
a complaint. 
 
(m)  Preferential Access to Loan Facilities. – 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 organized BHWs access to loan 
services. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one 
percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized BHW groups that 
have community-based income generating projects in support of 
health programs or activities. 
 
SECTION 9. Review by the Local Health Board. – Every incentive or benefit 
for BHWs requiring expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and approved 
by the LHB. Such benefits and incentives may be increased, upon review of 
the LHB, after considering, among others, the present Consumer Price Index 
(CPI) as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).”  
 
SECTION 10. 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.  
 
SECTION 11. Protection of BHWs. – The municipal, city, provincial 
governments and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
shall establish a grievance mechanism as a means of processing complaints 
of BHWs against alleged acts of discrimination and unjust removal from the 
service. A BHW may appeal their grievances to the DILG.  
 
SECTION 12. Right to Self-organization. – A BHW shall have the right to 
freely form, join or assist organizations to obtain redress of their grievances 


through peaceful concerted activities, in a manner not contrary to law, 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. 
 
SECTION 13. Representation in the Local Health Board and Primary 
Health Care Provider Network. – The president of the municipal or city 
association of BHWs shall be a member of the municipal or city local health 
board. The presidents of the association of BHWs of each component city and 
municipality associations of a province shall elect from among themselves 
their representative to the provincial health board: Provided, That, the BHW 
representatives to the health boards shall not be allowed to vote on the 
registration, accreditation and disciplinary or removal complaints of BHWs. 
The BHWs shall also form part of the healthcare provider network and shall 
participate in the implementation of healthcare services and programs. 
 
SECTION 14. Continuous Capacity Building for BHWs. – The DOH shall 
conduct continuous capacity building for BHWs to enhance and upgrade their 
knowledge and skills, including training programs conducted online and in 
major Philippine dialects. The DOH shall, in coordination with TESDA and 
other concerned agencies shall also assist the LGUs in the development of 
education modules or materials that highlight the collective experiences and 
learnings of BHWs and the use of traditional and complementary medicine. 
The LGUs shall endeavor to establish their own training centers for their 
BHWs and other health workers in coordination with TESDA, NGOs, and 
other agencies concerned. The LGUs shall also implement a development 
program for BHWs that will allow them to benefit from ladderized training as 
provided under Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise known as 22 the “PQF Act,” 
and Republic Act No. 10647, otherwise known as the “Ladderized Education 
Act 23 of 2014,” including academic credits for health-related courses. 
 
SECTION 15. Penalty Clause. – Any local government official who violates 
any provision of this Act may be administratively and criminally charged in 
accordance with law.  
 
SECTION 
16. 
Appropriations. 
– 
The 
amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the National Tax 
Allotment (NTA) of the LGUs, other local funds and the special health fund 
under Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as the “Universal Health Care 
Act”.  
 
SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulation. – The DOH and the 
DILG shall, in consultation with the DepEd, the CSC, the GSIS, and other 
concerned government agencies and nongovernmental entities, promulgate 
the rules and regulations to implement this Act not later than one hundred 
eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 


SECTION 18. 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.   
 
SECTION 19. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known 
as the “Barangay 4 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 modified 
accordingly.  
 
SECTION 20. 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,