PI RESSS

Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City IZ DATE 108
+ TIME ”
TWENTIENTH CONGRESS \e
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3941

Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The hardships and serious health risks faced by government medical and
health personnel became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. These exposure to
great risks by government medical and health personnel is akin to the risks that
military or uniformed personnel face in the line of duty. As such, this representation
finds it proper to also afford government medical and health personnel the right to
retire at the age of fifty-six (56).

In addition, the early retirement of medical and health personnel in
government service will also pave the way for employment of younger medical and
health professionals. It is of public knowledge that a lot of Filipino medical and
health professionals opt to leave the country for better opportunities abroad.
Allowing long-time serving medical and health personnel to retire early will create
more room for the government to take in medical and health personnel, which this
representation sees as a feasible way to keep the younger medical and health
personnel in the country. There is a real and immediate need to entice medical and
health personnel to remain in the country to serve Filipinos in times of pandemics
and other health catastrophes. Early retirement for medical and health personnel in
the government service is one way of encouraging Filipinos to stay and serve their
‘own countrymen.

‘The Constitution has declared it a policy to the right of Filipinos to health, to
wit” “The Stte shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them” (Section 15, Artile II, 1987 Constitution). Taking
care of the people, who are primarily the ones who take care of the right to health
of Filipinos, is well-within the promotion of such Constitutional fiat.

For the Filipino people, approval of the bill is earnestly sought.

Ces

D


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3941

Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO

(AN ACT ALLOWING MEDICAL AND HEALTH PERSONNEL IN
GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO RETIRE AT THE AGE OF
FIFTY-SIX (56) YEARS OLD 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 as “MEDICAL AND HEALTH
PERSONNEL IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE RETIREMENT AGE ACT.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the hardships and serious
health risks that medical and health personnel in the government service face. The
State values the importance that medical and health personnel in government
service in nation-building with utmost importance.

Section 3. Retirement at the age of Fifty-Six Years Old. Medical and health
personnel who have served in government service for a total period of not less than
twenty (20) years shall have the right to retire at the age of fifty-six (56) years old.
The mandatory retirement age of medical and health personnel in government
service shall be sixty (60) years old.

Setion 4. Coverage. For purposes of this Act, medical and health personnel in
government service shall only pertain to those employees who actually and directly
work in government health care facilities and systems. Medical and health care
personnel in government service shall include nurses, medical doctors, dentists,
radiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, pharmacists,
medical technologists, physician assistants, midwives, veterinarians, and the like.
Medical and health professionals who are employed in government service but do
not have actual or direct functions relating to health care shall not be covered by this
Act.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the Civil Service Commission, Department of Health,


Professional Regulation Commission, and Government Service Insurance System
shall work together and come-up with the rules and regulations implementing the
provisions of this law.

Section 6. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. — All \aws, presidential decrees, letters of instruction
executive orders, rules and regulations, or a part thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity. -— This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,