To bring primary healthcare closer to the people, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday, July 10, 2025, filed the “Health Centers in All Barangays Act” (Senate Bill No. 421), which seeks to establish fully equipped health centers in every barangay across the country..
Cayetano, a longtime advocate for better public health access, said the measure aims to decongest hospitals, address long-term community health needs, and make healthcare more accessible to Filipinos.
“It is a must for the government to be able to provide efficient access to health services starting at the base level of the community, the barangay,” Cayetano said in the bill’s explanatory note.
Under the proposed measure, all barangays will be mandated to establish a Barangay Health Center that provides essential primary care.
These centers must have at least one doctor, one nurse, one dentist, and enough medical assistants, with priority given to remote and underserved areas.
The bill directs provinces, cities, and municipalities to allocate funds for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of these centers, with barangay officials allowed to tap public and private sector medical professionals to supplement health services.
The proposed measure also requires the Department of Health (DOH) to spearhead a Primary Healthcare Program to be implemented in every barangay.
This includes setting criteria for selecting and training barangay health workers, and coordinating activities with LGUs, national government agencies, and non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) to maximize service delivery.
Barangay Health Center personnel may also be tasked to conduct home visits to monitor patients and assess local health concerns, according to the bill.
To prepare for implementation, the DOH will be required to submit regular updates to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and LGUs on the demand for healthcare workers. This aims to encourage more students to take up health-related courses and ensure a steady pipeline of professionals.
The bill provides a three-year period for all barangays to establish their health centers and acquire the necessary medical equipment and workforce.
Cayetano first filed a similar measure during the 19th Congress but said its urgency has become even more apparent, especially with the continued lack of basic health infrastructure in many rural communities.
He also cited the City of Taguig as a model, noting that all of its 38 barangays have access to PhilHealth-accredited health centers.
“If we don’t start now, kailan pa tayo magkakaroon ng health center sa bawat lugar sa Pilipinas? Let’s invest in our people’s health where it matters most, right in their own barangays,” the senator said.
