Programs & Services
You are here: Programs & Services / LGMED PPAs / Monitoring LGU Compliance to DILG Issuances and National Directives
Retention and Continued Service of Barangay Health Workers
Republic Act (RA) No. 7883, otherwise known as the "Barangay Health Workers' Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) intend to strengthen the health system at the local level, set up a mechanism for BHWs to gain access to a package of resources and opportunities for improving their personal and professional development, and to specify the roles, responsibilities, procedures and requirements the BHWs must undertake and comply so they can avail of the benefits and incentives as provided for under the law.
To further operationalize and reinforce RA No. 7883, the DILG and DOH issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2023-001 dated August 24, 2023 which prescribes, among others, the roles and responsibilities of all the Local Government Units, Sanggunians, and the Local Health Boards to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of primary care services to the communities and safeguards the processes for the registration and accreditation of BHWs.
In this connection, the Department received complaints regarding the mass lay-off of BHWs and the alleged non-compliance with the subject DILG-DOH JMC by all concerned local officials, especially barangay officials.
In this regard, the DILG Field Officers are directed to remind the local officials concerned and the Chairperson, other Officers and Members of the Local Health Board of their roles and responsibilities as stipulated in the attached JMC, and ensure their compliance thereof. For emphasis, all barangays/sangguniang barangays should be reminded of their roles and responsibilities
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Barangay LGU
1. Comply with this JMC and/or other related policies issued by the DILG
and/or DOH:
2. Assist the appointed BHWs to be registered and accredited by the LHB;
3. Submit the profiles of BHWs to DILG City/Municipal Office, using the prescribed BOIS, including the copy of the Ordinance as a basis for encoding or updating in the system;
4. Ensure the attendance and participation of BHW in related trainings, seminars, orientation or similar activities; and
5. Shall provide voluntary support to the concerned BHWs deployed by the city/municipality, in any form needed to enable them to carry out their duties, roles and responsibilities. Honorariums or allowances may be provided subject to the budgetary limitations on personal services prescribed under Title Five of RA No. 7160.
Local Sanggunian
1. Enact an ordinance to assist all barangay-appointed BHWs to be registered and accredited by the LHB;
2. Enact an ordinance and/or adopt a resolution establishing a mechanism for the protection of BHWs from dismissal without due process and providing for the holistic welfare of the BHWs such as but not limited to, giving of incentives, granting of honorarium and/or retirement benefits, subject to budgetary requirements and general limitations on the use of local funds; and
3. Establish a mechanism for the protection of BHW from illegal discontinuation of volunteer services without due process, which shall be recommended or adopted by the LHB.
Transitory Provisions
For the first three (3) years of implementation, all BHWs are endeavored to be registered and accredited with their respective LHBs;
The Punong Barangay shall encourage and assist the barangay-appointed BHWs to undergo registration and accreditation with the LHB;
M/CHO shall facilitate the registration and accreditation of BHWs within their LGU;
All local ordinances/resolutions inconsistent with this JMC shall be reviewed and amended accordingly;
All BHWs shall be under the supervision of the city and municipal governments and shall be governed by the provisions of RA 7883 and this JMC; and
The Punong Barangay and the Sangguniang Barangay, upon approval of the JMC, are advised and encouraged to appoint other barangay official to strengthen the barangay health system, such as the Barangay Health Aide (BHA), Barangay Health Officer (BHO) or Barangay Health Assistant (BHAsst) or other appropriate position, except Barangay Health Worker (BHW).
6.1 Health workers appointed by the Punong Barangay as BHW prior to the approval of this JMC should apply for registration and/or accreditation with the City/Municipal Health Board.
6.2 In case of denial of the application for registration of the Barangay-appointed BHW.
he/she, at the option of the barangay, may be appointed as BHA/BHO/BHAsst or in other position as may be determined by the barangay/sangguniang barangay."