NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S. No.
SENATE
427
'Bfficp of fljc ^f:'rcri-i1-!rp
'22 Jll 12 P5:13
RECEIVED 3'.':
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN 
BARANGAYS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, 
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The national health policy of our country is clearly articulated in Article XIII, 
Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution: "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." By virtue of Section 17 of Title I of the 1991 Local Government Code, 
the delivery of basic services and facilities such as health and social welfare services 
were devolved to the local government units down to the barangay level. Thus, the 
barangay health centers are maintained with the help of barangay health workers who 
voluntarily render primary health care services to the community.
Barangay Health Workers serve as the frontliners in the barangay in providing 
basic health services. They play a vital role in accomplishing the primary health care 
approach towards health empowerment by providing accessible and acceptable health 
services in the barangay level.
Despite their essential role and function, they are only considered as volunteers 
in the community. As such, they are only entitled to meager incentives and benefits.


Moreover, they are not given the security of tenure that befits the level of commitment 
necessitated by the role that BHWs play.
To address the existing policy shortfall, and to give due recognition to the role 
and services of BHWs in the delivery of our primary health care services in the 
community, this measure proposes to grant BHWs the compensation and benefits 
package, including security of tenure, of public health workers. This bill also mandates 
the Department of Health (DOH) to determine and recommend the number of needed 
BHWs in each barangay.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHE
WRENCE "BONG" T. GOr


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
0ffjcf of tijr S£'C;
•22 JUL12 P5:13
S. No.
SENATE
427
RtCEiVllD BY:
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS IN 
BARANGAYS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, 
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Barangay Health 
Workers Act of2022."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people by providing the conditions of 
health empowerment, where each individual has adequate access to information and 
services that will bring about health and well-being, and by delivering effective health 
care programs and services based on the needs of the communities. Towards this 
end, the State recognizes that the Primary Health Care Approach is an effective 
strategy towards realizing health empowerment and effective health care programs 
and services through community-based participatory strategies.
The State recognizes the indispensable role of Barangay Health Workers as the 
front liners in the Primary Health Care Approach; and the importance of strengthening 
and systematizing their services, and of providing them just compensation, consistent 
with the principle of equal pay for equal work and work of equal value.


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Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all Barangay Health Workers (BHWs): 
Provided, That when the BHW receives a fixed salary by virtue of a permanent 
appointment in any other government office, by election to another public office or by 
employment in the private sector, their coverage under this Act shall automatically 
cease and they shall then be covered under other appropriate laws.
Sec 4. Number of BHWs. - There shall be an appropriate number of BHWs in 
each barangay in consideration of the number of households in a barangay. Such 
number of BHWs shall be determined by the Department of Health (DOH) in 
consultation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): 
Provided, That the total number of BHWs per barangay shall not be less than two (2), 
nor more than one percent (1%) of the barangay's tota* population.
Sec. 5. Duties and Responsibilities. - The BHWs shall perform in their respective 
barangays the followings duties and responsibilities:
a. ) Those which the DOH, or the city, municipal or barangay sanggunian shall
provide by ordinance, subject to the guidelines to be promulgated jointly by 
the DOH and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in 
connection with the delivery of basic and primary health care services, the 
implementation of family planning, feeding and nutrition, and immunization 
programs, disaster response and mitigation, sanitation programs, and anti-drug 
abuse rehabilitation and information campaigns, and the establishment of 
national or local health management information systems;
b. ) Provide assistance to physicians, dentists, nurses, nutritionists, or midwives
who are employed, stationed, or are otherwise providing services at the 
barangay health center, daycare center or birthing center;
c. ) Administer first-aid, and respond in natural calamities and disaster; and
d. ) Gather data about the health profile of the barangay, incidence of
communicable or chronic diseases, environmental or health hazards in the 
barangay, and other public health-relevant event or information, and report the 
same to the local health board.


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Sec. 6. Compensation and Benefits. In addition to the benefits provided under
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Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the "Barangay Health Workers Benefits
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and Incentives Act of 1995", all BHWs shall be entitled to the following:
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(a) Honoraria - All BHWs shall receive a monthly honorarium of Three
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Thousand Pesos (Php3,000.00) chargeable against the funds of the
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barangay;
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(b) Membership in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) - The
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GSIS shall establish a social insurance program to provide life insurance
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and social protection to BHWs;
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(c) Membership in the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine
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Health Insurance Corporation - All BHWs shall be enrolled into the National
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Health Insurance Program in accordance with Republic Act 11223m
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otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act", and other existing laws,
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rules and regulations;
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(d) Membership in the Home Development Mutual Fund - All BHWs shall be
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covered under the mutual provident savings system of the Home
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Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG Fund);
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(e) Health Emergency Allowance - All BHWs who render service in areas
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declared under a state of public emergency shall be entitled to the
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compensation package and other benefits provided under Republic Act No.
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11712 otherwise known as the "Public Health Emergency Benefits and
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Allowances for Health Care Workers Act";
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(f) Sick, vacation and maternity or paternity leave - All BHWs shall be entitled
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to sick, vacation and maternity or paternity leaves as may be prescribed by
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the barangay: Provided, that BHWs shall continue to receive their monthly
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honoraria and other allowances applicable, while on authorized leave of
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absence;
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(g) Christmas bonus or cash gift - All BHWs shall receive a Christmas bonus or
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cash gift which shall not be less than their monthly honoraria once a year
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chargeable against the funds of the barangay;
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(h) Training and Skills Upgrading - All BHWs shall be required to undergo free
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annual training and skills upgrading conducted by the DOH or its partner


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agencies and institutions;
(i) Civil Service Eligibility - All BHWs who have rendered at least three (3) 
years continuous service from the approval of this Act shall be granted civil 
service eligibility the Civil Service Commission,
(j) Legal Indemnification - BHWs shall be entitled to an equitable legal 
Indemnification package in the form of legal assistance and other forms of 
legal protection and indemnification for all legal costs and expenses 
reasonably incurred in any administrative, civil, or criminal action, suit or 
proceeding to which they have been made a party by reason of the 
performance of their official functions or duties, unless they are finally 
adjudged in such action or proceeding to be guilty of an offense;
(k) Other benefits, incentives and allowances - Other benefits, incentives and 
allowances not enumerated in this Act may be provided by the LGUs subject 
to availability of funds.
Sec. 7. Security of Tenure. - All duly appointed BHWs shall not be terminated 
except for cause provided under existing civil service rules and regulations, and only 
after notice and hearing: Provided, That if a BHW, upon appeal, is found by the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC) to be unjustly dismissed from service, the said BHW shall 
be entitled to reinstatement without loss of incentives, benefits and allowances from 
the time of termination up to the time of reinstatement chargeable against the funds 
of the barangay.
Sec. 8. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the implementation of the 
provisions of this Act shall be sourced from the funds of the barangays or the 
Department of Health, as the case may be, as provided in Sections 6 and 7 of this Act. 
In the event that the fund of the barangay is insufficient to effectively implement the 
provisions of this Act or when the amount exceeds the limitations on Personnel 
Services as provided in Section 331(b) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, 
otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991", the Sangguniang Barangay 
concerned may adjust the amount of the monthly honoraria provided under this Act.


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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOH and DILG, in consultation with the leagues of the 
barangays, cities and municipalities, and existing health workers union and barangay 
health workers organizations, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to 
carry out the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 10. Non-diminution of benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
eliminate or in any may diminish entitlements, or other benefits being provided to or 
enjoyed by BHWs under Republic Act No. 7883 or other laws and issuances.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the" 
Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995", is hereby amended 
accordingly. All other laws, decrees, orders, circulars, issuances, rules and regulations 
and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed, amended 
or modified accordingly.
Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is subsequently 
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain 
in full force and effect.
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after Its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,