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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [[ pate: WAY 06 ag
Quezon City, Metro Manila =
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6695

Introduced by REP. PRINCESS RIHAN M. SAKALURAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The recent COVID-19 pandemic brought financial, economic and health concerns
to everyone. Businesses have been asked to close, employees requested to stay at home
basically putting majority of the country’s population safely tucked in the confines of
their homes. At the same time, essential employees and first responders particularly
those in the health and medical sectors have been doubling their efforts to contain the
pandemic. Physicians, nurses, technicians have been taking longer shifts, skipping
meals, and risking their own health all because they chose to stand by their oath as
health professionals.

Despite putting themselves at risk, these workers willingly do their jobs so that
the situation improve and everyone get back their normal lives. Some of these doctors
fell ill and have been in critical condition, and many more have been placed at even
higher risk. Our doctors, nurses, and all other health workers do not deserve this. At
the same time, this did not go unnoticed. Several groups and private individuals have
observed their dedication and have even dedicated specific times of the day to thank
these health and medical workers and first responders in their own way. Placards and
sign boards have been placed in windows and walls to publicly show the appreciation
to them.

However, these are not enough and these workers and their families should be
protected and secured for the services they render in these troubling times. As such, a
law granting health and medical workers and first responders special financial and
monetary benefits should be passed so that, if they get sick, their families will have the
financial means to move on with their lives. Our health and medical workers and first
responders deserve not only our salute, but also our protection. It is for these reasons
that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Representative
1* District, Sultan Kudarat

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ESSRBURRRBRSSSES

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. PRINCESS RIHAN M. SAKALURAN
a

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL COMPENSATION AND SURVIVORSHIP
ASSISTANCE TO COVID 19 HEALTH AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND
FIRST RESPONDERS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Appreciation Act
of 2020.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them. In recognition of the substantial role that health workers play as
forerunners in the implementation of the said State policy, the State shall
endeavor to promote the health and safety of health workers, especially in times
of public health emergency, outbreaks, and pandemic.

The Act is intended to help the members of the medical, health
professionals and personnel, the first responders and their immediate family who
risk their lives during the entire duration of the COVID 19 Pandemic and to those
who died in the performance of their duty.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) “Health worker” shall include all persons who are engaged in health
and health-related work, whether employed in a private hospital or
health facility or public hospital, sanitaria, health infirmaries,
health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations, clinics
and other health-related establishments owned and operated by the
Government or its political subdivisions with original charters.

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b) “First responder” shall include all person with specialized training
who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene
of an emergency, such as an accident, natural disaster,
or terrorism. First responders typically include law enforcement
officers, state troopers, deputies, federal agents, school resource
officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters,
rescuers, military personnel, sanitation workers, public works, and
other trained members of organization connected with this type of
work.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all health and medical
personnel and first responders who risked their lives during the entire duration
of the COVID 19 Pandemic and to those who died in the performance of their

duty.

SECTION 5S. Compensation. - Financial assistance in the equivalent of the
persons three (3) month salary shall be received by the health and medical
personnel and first responders who are covered under this Act from the State
and are free of tax. Provided, In case of death of the health and medical personnel
and first responders who are covered under this Act, their families shall receive
additional benefits such as one million pesos (1,000,000.00) death benefit. Such
death benefit is also free of tax.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. = The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act is hereby atithorized to be appropriated in the General
Appropriations Act for the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

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