Republic of the Philippines

REGION IX
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Pagadian City
PROVINCIAL LEGAL OFFICE
Tel. No. (062) 2141330

TO:

HON.___________
Provincial Board Member
Chairman, Committee on ___________________

SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING QUALIFICATION CRITERIA,

REGULATION AND RETENTION MECHANISM FOR FRONTLINE
WORKERS IN CONSONANCE WITH R.A. 7883.
OPINION/COMMENT: The ordinance is valid.
The national health policy of our country is clearly articulated in Article XIII,
Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution in this wise: "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 and daycare centers are maintained with the help of barangay
health workers who voluntarily render primary health care services to the community.
Moreoevr, barangay health workers are the front-liners in providing health care
services to the community. Barangay health workers are vital in Barangay Health
Centers because they provide assistance and support to physicians, dentists,
nutritionists, public health nurses, and midwives. Collectively, they are considered
guardians of the nation's health.
In order for them to effectively function, barangay health workers under went
training programs under any accredited government or non-government organization to
provide basic, safe, and effective health care services to the people of the district.
It is therefore clear that it is within the bounds of the Local Government Unit of
Zamboanga del Sur to propose an ordinance prescribing for a qualification criteria,

regulation and retention mechanism for frontline workers in consonance with R.A. 7883
for the effective governance and function of the barangay health workers and that such
policies and guidelines which would be implemented shall provide guidance and
measures in support of Barangay Health Workers.
Clearly these purposes are for the public good. Section 16 of R.A. 7160 provides;
Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly
granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers
necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and
effective governance, and those which are essential to the
promotion of the general welfare. Within their respective
territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and
support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of
culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people
to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of
appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities,
improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social
justice, promote full employment among their residents, maintain
peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their
inhabitants
As such, the ordinance being within the bounds of the law must be held to be

valid.
Sincerely yours,

ATTY. FELIX M. ESCALANTE JR.

Provincial Legal Officer