Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING CONTINUING COVID-19 BENEFITS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH 
WORKERS DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
The prolonged battle of our country against the COVID-19 pandemic is causing fatigue 
an extremely difficult conditions for our health workers. We want to honor their invaluable 
work by at least giving the benefits that are due them.  
These benefits are outlined in the Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover 
as One Act (“Bayanihan 2"). However, the law already lapsed on June 30, 2021. This 
measure mandates the continuing grant of the COVID-19 benefits to public and private 
health workers with retroactive application from July 2021 and shall remain available so 
long as the Presidential declaration of national public health emergency is in place. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
October 11, 2021
2:20 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING CONTINUING COVID-19 BENEFITS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH 
WORKERS DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known and cited as "COVID-19 Benefits for 
Health Workers Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall instill health consciousness among our 
people and recognizes that adequate support to our health workers, in public and private 
sectors, is paramount to ensure continuous delivery of health services especially during 
the existence of a national public health emergency. Towards this end, it shall safeguard 
the welfare of our health workers and guarantee that all benefits owing to them shall be 
provided to them with utmost efficiency. 
SEC. 3. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all public and private health workers during 
the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, regardless of employment status. Public and 
private health workers shall refer to medical, allied medical, and other necessary 
personnel assigned in hospitals, healthcare facilities, laboratories, medical or quarantine 
facilities, or vaccination sites and those administering medical assistance. It also 
includes non-medical workers and outsourced personnel hired under institutional or 
individual contract of service or job order basis who are similarly exposed to COVID-19. 
SEC. 4. Continuing Grant of COVID-19 Benefits. – The national government shall 
provide the following benefits to covered individuals under Section 3 hereof: 
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(a) COVID-19 special risk allowance and active hazard duty pay for every month 
served: Provided, That the special risk allowance and active hazard duty pay shall 
be in addition to existing benefits being received by health workers under existing 
laws; 
 
(b) Provision of life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals, 
regardless of the community quarantine status; and 
 
c) Provision of compensation to those who have contracted COVID-19 in the line of 
duty, with the following amounts, upon submission of required documents to 
support claims: 
 
(1) In case of death of the covered individual. One million pesos (P1,000,000) 
shall be provided to the heirs of the covered individuals; 
(2) In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case. One hundred thousand 
pesos (P100,000) shall be provided to the covered individuals; and 
(3) In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case. Fifteen thousand pesos 
(P15,000) shall be provided to the covered individuals; 
 
Provided, That the compensation provided herein shall be given to the 
beneficiaries not later than three (3) months after the date of confinement or 
death. 
 
The provision of the foregoing benefits shall have retroactive application from July 1, 
2021 and shall remain in full force and effect during the state of national public health 
emergency as declared by the President. 
 
SEC. 5. Tax Exemption. – The benefits received by covered workers under this Act, 
during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic shall be exempt from income tax. 
 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current year available appropriations of the Department of 
Health. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation shall be 
included in the Annual General Appropriations. 
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and 
Management shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. 
 
The non-promulgation of the rules and regulations provided under this section shall not 
prevent the immediate implementation of this Act upon effectivity. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, executive issuances 
or letters of instruction, rules and regulations or any part thereof inconsistent with or 
contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed, amended or modified 


 
 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason or reasons, any part or parts of this Act 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by any competent court, other sections or 
provision hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,