Barangay Health Workers Act of 2025

Nothier nett TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JUL 21 AI0:33 SENATE RECET 'ED AN S. No. - Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT TO EXPAND THE BENEFITS OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS TO INCLUDE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as the "Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Acts of 1995" defines Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as persons who have undergone training programs under any accredited government and non-government organization. BHWs voluntarily render primarily 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). Republic Act No. 7883, which promotes the rights of BHWs, entitles them to hazard and subsistence allowance, training programs, civil service eligibility, free legal services, and access to loan services. However, the law has not provided a fixed rate for the allowances for BHWs while providing primary health care, as well as acting as health educators and community organizers in their local communities.

: This proposed legislation seeks to expand the benefits and incentives of barangay officials to include Barangay Health Workers. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. FRANCIS M. PANGILINAN Senator

Dire oi t REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 JUL 21 AIO :33 SENATE RECENED 6: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT TO EXPAND THE BENEFITS OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS TO INCLUDE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Health Workers

2 Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 adopt measures to ensure the welfare of Barangay Health Workers. Towards this end, the State shall expand the benefits and incentives of Barangay Officials to include 6 Barangay Health Workers.

Sec. 3. Section 393, paragraphs (a) and (b) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise

known as the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: "SECTION 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials - (a) Barangay officials, including barangay tanods and members of the lupong tagapamayapa, shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal, or city ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this Code, but in no case shall it be less than one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month for the punong barangay and six hundred (P600.00) per month for the

Sangguniang barangay members, barangay treasurer, Land] barangay secretary AND BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS: Provided, however. That the annual appropriations for personal services shall be subject to the budgetary limitations prescribed under Title Five, Book II of this Code; PROVIDED, FURTHERMORE, THAT THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS CODE SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE APPLICATION OF AND ENTITLEMENT TO OTHER INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW SUCH AS REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6942 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT. (b) The punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the barangay treasurer, [and] the barangay secretary AND THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER shall also: XXX."

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

17 the approval of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, in 18 coordination with the Civil Service Commission, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in 22 full force and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,

and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 28 circulation. Approved,