NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of tl?e
23 ftPR 24 All '-04
SENATE
RECEIVED BV,____
Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero
AN ACT
UPGRADING THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTISTS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC 
SECTOR, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Oral health is an integral part of the overall health of an individual. Despite its 
importance, however, oral health is chronically relegated to the backburner not only 
in terms of public health spending, but also in terms of public employment. The 
National Database of Selected Human Resources for Health reveals that there are only 
1,943 dentists employed in the public sector as of December 2022, leaving only one 
public dentist to cater to the oral health needs of about 57,423 Filipinos.
One of the primary reasons why the government fails in recruiting dentists is 
the disparity between the authorized remuneration for public dentists and the potential 
income dentists could earn in private practice. Compensation for entry-level dentist 
position in government is set at Salary Grade (SG) 13, which is equivalent to only 
PHP31,320 in 2022. Private dental practice can potentially earn more than what the 
government can offer, and without the stringent requirements and restrictions that 
comes with employment in the civil service.


Drawing from the wisdom of several bills1 filed in the House of Representatives 
in the 19th Congress, this bill seeks to modify the salary grade schedule for dentists 
employed by all agencies and instrumentalities of government, including national 
government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, state 
universities and colleges, and local government units. Under the proposed measure, 
public dentists would receive remuneration equivalent to SG-17 for Dentist I; SG-20 
for Dentist II; SG-23 for Dentist III; SG-25 for Dentist IV; SG-27 for Dentist V; SG-29 
for Dentist VI; and SG-30 for Dentist VII. It is hoped that through this intervention, 
more students would be enticed to study dentistry and more qualified dentists will 
enter and remain in government service.
Ultimately, this bill seeks contribute to the realization of the constitutional 
directive to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them.
Respectfully submitted.
FRANCI
DERoJy
1 House Bill No. 2046 filed by Rep. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor; House Bill No. 3776 filed by Rep. Patrick 
Michael D. Vargas; House Bill No. 4382 filed by Rep. Loreto B. Acharon; House Bill No. 4814 filed by 
Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago; and House Bill No. 5086 filed by Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
s. Nc2M2
of t!)f ^rcrptar^J
23 APR 24 All :04
RHCEiVEi) 3Y:
Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero
AN ACT
UPGRADING THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTISTS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC 
SECTOR, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Dentist Salary
2 
Modification Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
4 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
5 
among them. In line with this policy, and in recognition of the critical role of dentists
6 
in promoting oral health among Filipinos, and the need to encourage qualified health
7 
care professionals to join and remain in government service, the State shall ensure
8 
that the compensation received by public dentists remain commensurate to the
9 
demands of the service, and that their social and economic well-being, living and
10 
working conditions, and terms of employment are continuously promoted and
11 
improved.
12 
Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all dentists employed in all agencies
13 
and Instrumentalities of government, including national government agencies,
14 
government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and
15 
colleges, and local government units (LGUs), regardless of their status of employment.
16 
Sec. 4. Adjustment of Salary Grade of Public Dentists. - Upon the effectivity of
17 
this Act, the salary grade levels for dentists employed in all government agencies and
18 
instrumentalities shall be modified as follows:


1
Position Title
Old Salary Grade
New Salai
2
Dentist I
13
17
3
Dentist II
16
20
4
Dentist III
19
23
5
Dentist IV
22
25
6
Dentist V
24
27
7
Dentist VI
26
29
8
Dentist VII
28
30
9 
Provided, That public dentists employed on part-time or casual basis under the Human
10 
Resources for Health and other similar programs and projects of the government shall
11 
receive remuneration in accordance with the modified salary grade schedule and shall
12 
be paid proportionate to the actual service they have rendered: Provided, further. That
13 
government agencies and instrumentalities that are not covered under Republic Act
14 
No. 11466, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, shall continue
15 
to receive their current remuneration so long as the salaries they receive correspond
16 
to or are higher than the salary schedule provided under this Act: Provided, finaiiy,
17 
That the modified salaries of public dentists employed by LGUs shall correspond to the
18 
income classification of the LGU concerned and shall not exceed the percentage of the
19 
applicable salary schedule as provided in Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 11466,
20 
otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law of 2019.
21 
Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to effectively implement the
22 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, in the
23 
respective annual appropriations ordinances of the LGUs, and in the respective annual
24 
corporate operating budgets of the GOCCs.
25 
Sec. 6. Impiementing Ruies andReguiations. - Within thirty (30) days from the
26 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Budget and Management shall, in
27 
coordination with other government agencies concerned, promulgate the rules and
28 
regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.


1 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
3 
remain in full force and effect.
4 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
5 
and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with
6 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect on the fiscal year immediately
8 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
9 
general circulation.
Approved,