Republic of the Philippines

Province of Quezon
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. ______

Series of 2024

AN ORDER CREATING BARANGAY HEALTH NAVIGATORS

IN QUEZON PROVINCE

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (“RA”) No. 11223, otherwise known as Universal
Health Care (“UHC”) Act declares it a policy of the State to protect and promote the right of
health of Filipinos and instill health consciousness among them that conclusively shall adopt the
following:
a. An integrated and comprehensive approach to ensure that all Filipinos are health
literate, provided with healthy living conditions, and protected from hazards and
risks that could affect their health;
b. A health care model that provides all Filipinos access to a comprehensive set of
quality and cost-effective, promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and
palliative health services without causing financial hardships, and prioritizes the
needs of the population who cannot afford such services;
c. A framework that fosters a whole-system approach in the development,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health policies, programs and plans;
and
d. A people-centered approach for the delivery of health services that is centered on
people’s needs and well-being, and cognizant of the difference in culture, values and
beliefs.

WHEREAS, one of the critical components of the UHC Act is to ensure that patients
have timely access to appropriate health care services through effective and efficient
navigation, coordination and referral;

WHEREAS, Section 6.4 of the UHC Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) states
that the Department of Health (DOH) and Local Government Units (LGUs) shall endeavor to
provide a health care delivery system that shall afford every Filipino a primary care provider
who shall act as the navigator and be an initial-contact to provide assistance for the timely,
accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated population-based health care services;

WHEREAS, the DOH Administrative Order (AO) No. 2020-0021, entitled, “Guidelines
on integration of the Local Health Systems into Province-wide and City-wide Health Systems”,
requires the following minimum components in the delivery of population-based health
services:
a. Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN) with patient records accessible through the
health system that shall provide primary care services and serves as an initial
contact and navigator to guide patient’ decision making for cost-efficient and
appropriate levels of care, coordinate patient to facilitate two-way referrals and
implement public health services;
b. Accurate, sensitive and timely epidemiologic surveillance systems;
c. Proactive, effective and evidence-based health promotion programs or campaigns;
and,
d. Timely, effective and efficient preparedness and response to public health
emergencies and disasters.

WHEREAS, the Provincial Government of Quezon recognizes the need to create

additional workforce in the delivery of the province’s commitment in ensuring effective and
efficient delivery of population-based and individual-based health services and health system
operations pursuant to the UHC Act; and,
 WHEREAS, the Barangay Health Navigators shall be part of the primary care provider
network (PCPN) in the effective and efficient delivery of quality health services and health
systems operation ensuring its accessibility in all areas of the province therefore promoting a
good health seeking behavior and other good health practices among Quezonians.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANGELINA "DOKTORA HELEN" D.L. TAN, M.D., MBAH,

Governor of the Province of Quezon, by the powers vested upon me by law and with the strong
desire of providing an effective and efficient health services among Quezonians, do hereby order
the creation of Barangay Health Navigators in the Province of Quezon.

Section 1. SCOPE AND COVERAGE. This Order shall apply to all the barangay within the
province of Quezon in coordination with the Provincial Health Office and Local Government Units
Primary Care Facilities (PCF) in the Province of Quezon.

Section 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS.

1. Quezon Barangay Health Navigators (QBHN) – refer to competent and
capacitated individuals who shall provide assistance regarding the health needs
and concerns of his/her patient within the assigned area of responsibility
2. Individual-based health services – refer to services which can be accessed
within a health facility or remotely that can be definitively traced back to one (1)
recipient, has limited effect at a population level and does not alter the
underlying cause of illness such as ambulatory and inpatient care, medicines,
laboratory tests and procedures, among others.
3. Navigation – refers to the function of coordinating and directing the individual
to obtain health services needed to manage a wide range of health needs.
4. Navigator – refers to a person who does the navigation.
5. Population-based health services – refer to interventions such as health
promotion, disease surveillance, and vector control, which have population
groups as recipients.
6. Primary care provider – refers to a health care worker, with defined
competencies who has received certification in primary care as determined by
the Department of Health (DOH) or any health institution that is licensed and
certified by the DOH.
7. Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN) – refers to a coordinated group of
public, private or mixed primary care providers, as the foundation of the HCPN.
8. Public Health Emergency – refers to an occurrence or imminent threat of an
illness or health condition that
a. Is caused by any of the following: (i) bioterrorism; (ii) appearance of a
novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious agent or biological
toxin; (iii) a natural disaster; (iv) a chemical attack or accidental release;
(v) a nuclear attack or accident; (vi) an attack or accidental release of
radioactive materials; and,
b. Poses a high probability of any of the following: (i) a large number of
deaths in the affected population; (ii) a large number of serious injuries
or long-term disabilities in the affected population; (iii) widespread
exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a significant risk of
substantial harm to a large number of people in the affected population;
(iv) international exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a
significant risk to the health of citizens of other countries; or (v) trade
and travel restrictions.

Section 3. GENERAL GUIDELINES.

 1. There shall be one (1) BHN in every barangay within the province.
2. Each BHN shall undergo a selection process, using the following criteria:
a. Must be 18 years old and above but not beyond fifty years of age;
b. A citizen of the barangay for at least five (5) years;
c. Must be a vocational course graduate or at least a college undergraduate
of any health allied related courses;
d. Must be a computer literate and know how to use the different programs
of Microsoft Office;
e. Must be certified by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) navigation and referral
focal person;
f. Must have good leadership and communication skills; and
g. Must be compassionate, respectable, quick-witted and a good patient
advocate.
3. All BHN shall undergo a capacity building to harness capabilities and be equipped
in the delivery of competent health services.
4. Each BHN must work harmoniously in coordination with the personnel of the
Barangay Health Station (BHS) particularly Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and
Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), and must be endorsed to the Rural Health
Midwife (RHM) as their immediate supervisor.
5. The BHN shall also report to the assigned municipal focal person on navigation
and referral as needed.
6. A regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure delivery of expected services by
the BHN shall be done by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in coordination with
the Rural Health Unit.
7. Must also do other health-related initiatives and participate in other capacity
building activities as deemed necessary and upon the approval of the supervisor.

Section 4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Barangay Health Navigators shall:
1. Navigate patients to proper facilities or telemedicine service.
2. Guide the patient/client in making sensible, and realistic health-related decisions;
3. Assist patients/clients in other health needs such as transportation, financial
assistance, blood request, health-related inquiry and others.
4. Facilitate information dissemination of all health programs and how it may be
accessed;
5. Conduct home visits as necessary;
6. Promptly report to RHM assigned the identified cases of notifiable disease within
the barangay using the prescribed reporting forms;
7. Encode patient records; and,
8. Submit reports to the Provincial Government and immediate supervisor.

B. Rural Health Midwife shall:

1. Act as the immediate supervisor of the BHN in the barangay that shall provide
guidance in planning, implementing and evaluating all health related activities
and initiatives within the locality;
2. Recommend an individual that may fit to the criteria in selecting BHN;
3. Receive, check, validate and consolidate reports submitted by the BHN, to be
submitted to the respective focal persons in the municipality particularly on
navigation and referral, health education and promotion and disease surveillance
officer; and
4. Monitor the implementation of the planned activities and ensure the delivery of
services expected of a BHN.

C. Municipal Health Office shall:

 1. Check, consolidate and validate reports submitted to the focal persons of the
MHO through the RHM; and,
2. Continuously coordinate with the PHO for the effective and efficient delivery of
health services being rendered by the BHN.

D. PHO-Health Navigation and Referral Unit (HNRU) shall:

1. Lead in the institutionalization of Barangay Health Navigators in collaboration
with the Health Promotion Unit (HPU) of the province and the Provincial
Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU).
2. Conduct capacity building in partnership with HPU and PESU.
3. Oversee the delivery of tasks assigned to the BHN.

Section 5. MOBILIZATION, INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS - that the resources necessary

to mobilize BHNs, including for honoraria, operational expenditure, equipment and/or training
costs may be sourced from the “General Fund” or “Special Health Fund” (SHF) and “other local
budgetary sources”.

Section 6. MONITORING AND EVALUATION. The Provincial Health Office through the
HNRU in partnership with HPU and PESU shall regularly undertake monitoring and evaluation
activities to assess the quality of implementation. Moreover, shall conduct meetings and
implementation reviews as a way of providing feedback and consultation, towards the effective
and efficient delivery of health services.

Section 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of this Order or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the Order or the
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such
declaration.

Section 8. EFFECTIVITY. This Order shall take effect immediately.

SO ORDERED.

Signed on this ____ day of _____________ 2024, Lucena City, Quezon Province, Philippines.

ANGELINA “DOKTORA HELEN” D.L. TAN, MD, MBAH

Governor