ECEIVEDS
Republic of the Philippines REGE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pate 19 AUG 2018
TIME 10) am
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS % ~
First Regular Session EY: gk

TRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

House Bill No. 2886 |

Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TRAINING AND
EMPLOYMENT OF TRIBAAL HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes social justice vis-4-vis cultural
communities as expressed in Article II, Section 15 stating that “The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” And in
Article IL, Section 22 stating that “The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous
cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development.”

Recognizing these provisions of our fundamental law, our indigenous cultural
communities (ICCs) still have no easy access to basic services especially healthcare. Most tribes
and settlements of the ICs are located in the hinterlands, making it difficult for them to avail
of such services, With no other recourse, ICs turn to traditional medicines and healthcare
whenever a member gets sick. Benefits of modern medicine and healthcare are rare for them
making them susceptible to serious health problems.

For the past decades, government agencies and non-government organizations have
sought ways on how to improve the health conditions of our indigenous peoples. One way is
the sending of medical personnel to these indigenous communities in order to treat common
illnesses. With the formal health care delivery system in the country almost exclusively located
in cities and municipalities, there is an urgent need to train health workers from tribal
communities to intensify the practice of traditional and alternative medicine, as well as first aid
treatment for their members,

This was done through the enactment of R.A. 7883, or the Barangay Health Workers
Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995. The National Government was able to train barangay
health workers to provide primary healthcare to members of their respective communities via
‘a competitive benefits and incentives package. But despite this law, many tribal communities
remain unserved by barangay health workers especially during evenings, weekends and
holidays.

This proposal seeks to establish and institutionalize the training of tribal health
workers to help complement the existing efforts of our barangay health workers. These tribal
health workers will now be made responsible for providing primary healthcare in their
respective communities on a 24-hour basis. Their delegation is intended to complement the
DOH in pursuing effective community-based health services especially in the remote and
isolated areas.

I therefor request our colleagues in this chamber to ensure the immediate passage of

this bill into law.
REP. hea MACAPAGAL-ARROYO,

Second District, Pampanga

JOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES:


2

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill N@BBE

Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CULTURAL AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TRAINING AND
EMPLOYMENT OF TRIBAAL HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Tribal Health Workers Act of
2016.”

Section 2. Statement of Policy and Objectives - The Philippine Constitution of 1987
provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services
available to all the people at affordable cost. It is also the policy of the State to provide cheap
and affordable quality medicine and medical services to citizens in far-flung areas and
indigenous communities.

Section 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following words and
phrases shall be defined as:

a. Barangay Health Worker - RA 7883 defines barangay health workers as a person
who has undergone health care training programs in 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).

b. Tribal Health Worker - refers to members of ICC who have undergone health
care training by either government or non-government organizations and
renders voluntary health care in the tribal community.

Section 4. Tribal Health Workers ~ all tribal communities which are located about
ten kilometers (10km) from the barangay center are qualified to have tribal health workers
(THW). The number of families in a community will determine the number of THW in that
community - One (1) tribal health worker for every thirty (30) families.

Section 5. Selection and Training of Tribal Health Workers - The tribal Chief shall
appoint, in accordance with the traditions of the tribe, the tribal health worker and submit his
name to the local health board who in turn shall register the appointed tribal health worker.
‘The local health board will furnish a copy of the list of tribal health workers o the DOH which
shall maintain a national list of tribal health workers.

Section 6. Responsibilities of the tribal health workers - The THW is responsible for
providing primary health care to members of the tribes. He is also responsible for assisting, if
needed, sick person/s to the nearest clinic or hospital,


Since primary health care may use herbal medicines that are traditional to the tribe,
the THW is mandated to establish an herbal garden in the community. The barangay LGU, the
municipal LGU and the CENRO of the DENR are hereby required to provide assistance to the
THW in establishing such herbal garden.

Section 7. Benefits of Tribal Health Workers - Similar to the Barangay Health
Workers who are provided with a number of benefits under RA 7883, the THW are granted the
following incentives and benefits:

a) Free health care insurance and hospitalization - the THW shalll be provided with
free PhilHealth Insurance. In addition, the THW shall be entitled to free
hospitalization in case of work-related sickness or injury. The Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall provide the insurance and bear
the expenses of the hospitalization of the THW. The DSWD shall work closely
with the local health boards in granting these benefits to the THW, particularly in
identifying those who are entitled to such.

b) Educational benefits - the THW is entitled to free tuition n public high schools
and universities. Should the THW not be able to avail of this incentive, he is
allowed to transfer this benefit to any one of his/her legitimate children. This
benefit can only be availed by active THWs.

©) Continuing training - the DOH shall be responsible for providing the continuing
training for the THW on new and emerging primary health care management as
well as new and emerging herbal medicines.

) Free legal services - the Public Attorneys’ Office shall provide free legal advice to
‘THW if there are occasions that the latter needs one; provided, however, that the
occasion arises from or in connection with the exercise of his duties and
responsibilities as THW.

Section 8. Rules and Regulations of this Act - the DOH, DSWD, DILG and DENR
shall be responsible for the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of
this Act which shall be formulated within one hundred eighty (180) days upon its approval.

Section 9. Separability Clause - If any provisions of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder, or any provisions of this Act is not affected thereby shall remain in force and in
effect.

Section 10. Repealing clause - All laws, executive orders, proclamations, and other
presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed, amended or
modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,