THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO j. ANCARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
” 
This bill exemplifies the affirmed objective of Republic Act 2305 or the 
Magna Carta of Public Health Workers Le., “to promote and improve the social and 
economic well-being of the health workers, their living and working conditions and 
terms of employment.” 
Specifically, it seeks to re-establish May 7 of each year as “Health Workers’ 
Day” to give due respect and appreciation to the services of the main pillars of the 
country’s health care system, our health workers. They are our doctors, nurses, 
midwives, dentists, technicians, nutritionists, therapists, aides, and all other medical 
and allied professionals and support services personnel who work vigorously in our 
hospitals, clinics, barangay health centers and health care units in rural and urban 
areas. 
Although Proclamation No. 96 (Aquino, 1987) declared May 7 of said year 
and every year thereafter as “Health Workers’ Day,” its commemoration is virtually 
non-existent to date, and along with it, the subject of its celebration. Thus, the bill. 
Likewise, it is hoped that the annual public observance of the “Health 
Workers’ Day” will draw awareness to the plight of our health sector and 
consequently, underscore the State’s responsibility to allot sufficient budget priority 
on health and to improve the living and working conditions of our health workers. 
Approval of this measure, therefore, is earnestly sought. 
EDG k 
D 0 I . A  /P 
CARA 
Senator 


. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Firsf Regular Session 
) 
5 AM-4 P137 
S E N A T E  
G- 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT DECLARING MAY 7 OF EVERY YEAR 
AS “HEALTH WORKERS‘ DAY” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Health Workers’ Day Acf.” 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
“Health Workers‘ Day.“ 
SECTION 2. To give due recognition to the important role and contributions 
of the health workers who provide vital health services to our people and to 
promote their rights and welfare and enhance their sense of worth and dignity, May 
7 of every year is hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
private sectors. 
SECTION 3. For purposes of this Act, the term “health workers” shall cover 
all persons engaged in health and health-related services, including medical and 
allied professionals and support services personnel, who work in hospitals, sanitaria, 
health centers, clinics and other health-related establishments in the public and 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
19 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
20 
circulation. 
SECTION 4. To ensure the meaningful observance of the holiday as herein 
declared, all heads of government health facilities, offices and instrumentalities, 
including government-owned and controlled hospitals as well as local government 
health units, and employers in the private sector, shall encourage and afford 
sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in 
any activity to mark Health Workers’ Day. 
21 
Approved,