TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
.. vOf/iir of tii,'
25 AUG -7 P3 :05
S.B. No
SENATE
1116
Rl.CLI'.Vi) 3’':
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR 
AS THE "NATIONAL FRONTLINERS MONTH" IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have underscored the 
vital contributions and the crucial role of frontline workers in combating the dangers 
of disease outbreaks.
Amidst the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic, we have witnessed the 
courage, strength, and dedication of our frontline workers in their relentless efforts to 
protect and serve our communities. Most Filipinos were safe at home and were able 
to continue working and being with their loved ones because our frontline workers, 
including our healthcare workers, food delivery drivers, supermarket workers, 
restaurant cooks, security guards, agriculture and fisheries workers, garbage 
collectors, bank employees, logistics workers, public utility employees, police and 
military personnel, social workers, media people, and LGU and barangay workers, to 
only name a few, have been working selflessly, braving the challenges of the pandemic 
and reporting to their offices and job sites at the risk of their own health to keep the 
economy running and safeguard the public wellbeing.


Heeding the call to render essential services, fighting the spread of the virus, 
maintaining order and ensuring the availability of basic and critical resources and 
services, these frontline workers have risked their own lives as well as their family 
members every day whenever they deal with a patient, deliver food to our homes, 
collect our trash, safeguard our neighborhoods, bring food and cash rations to the in 
need and vulnerable, and ensure that everyone comply with the community 
quarantine standards to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Without a doubt, these frontline workers have been rightfully hailed as heroes, 
having put their own lives and safety on the line to continue serving the public during 
times of great uncertainty. This is not the first time that our frontline workers have 
staunchly and heroically responded to the call of duty and it likely will not be the last.
Since June is the month when we celebrate Philippine independence which was 
brought about by the heroism of Filipino revolutionaries who fought against foreign 
rule, it is only fitting that we likewise honor and recognize the values, contributions, 
and heroism of our frontline workers during this month. This measure seeks to declare 
the month of June every year as the National Frontliners Month, and to institutionalize 
the annual celebration of the principles and values espoused by our frontliners.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measurers earr)estly sought.
GATCNALIj


;-^r
Jr9ff/(r 31 ;!(
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 AUG -7 P3 :05
S. B. No.
SENATE
1116
RtCEIVf.D B-.’
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR AS THE 
'NATIONAL FRONTLINERS MONTH" IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National
2 
Frontliners Month Act".
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In recognition of Filipino heroism
4 
displayed by our frontline workers through their hard work and sacrifices, the
5 
month of June of every year is hereby declared as the "National Frontliners
6 
Month".
7 
SEC. 3. Objectives of the Policy. - This Act aims to:
8 
a. Recognize the significant contributions of frontline workers,
9 
including but not limited to healthcare workers; pharmacists;
10 
energy, water, and other utility sector employees; logistic
11 
workers; storekeepers; grocery and delivery workers; bank
12 
employees; security guards; garbage collectors; media people;
13 
social workers; police and military personnel; local government
14 
unit (LGU) employees; barangay officials; and government


1 
workers, in providing basic services for the essential needs of the
2 
public, especially during national crises and emergencies;
3 
b. Highlight the heroism of our frontline workers in protecting public
4 
welfare and keeping the country going during times of calamities,
5 
disasters, and other crises;
6 
c. Give distinction to major and commendable efforts, response, and
7 
measures undertaken by our frontline workers, particularly our
8 
LGUs, and barangay officials and employees; and
9 
d. Institutionalize the annual celebration that gives honor to our
10 
frontline workers for their essential role and heroic response to
11 
the needs of the Filipino people during national crises and
12 
emergencies.
13 
SEC. 4. Lead Agencies. - The Department of Health (DOH), the
14 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Interior
15 
and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission
16 
(CSC) and other government agencies, are mandated to conduct activities and
17 
programs that promote the principles and values espoused by our frontline
18 
workers as well as those that underscore, honor, and reward our frontline
19 
workers for their essential role in nation building, as well as for their significant
20 
contribution in protecting public welfare.
21 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
22 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the
23 
year following its enactment into law, and every year thereafter, as may be
24 
necessary.
25 
SEC. 6. Impiementing Ruies and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
26 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, DOLE, DILG, and the CSC shall
27 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to
28 
implement the provisions of this Act. Such IRR shall take effect immediately
29 
thereafter.


1 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
2 
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
3 
full force and effect.
4 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
5 
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof
6 
contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
7 
accordingly.
8 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
9 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
10 Philippines.
Approved,


■ 
of ' '
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
25 AUG-7 P3:06
S.B. No.
SENATE
1117
Rl'CEivLD i
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE 
REGULATION FOR THE PRACTICE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, 
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, AS AMENDED, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MEDICAL ACT OF 1959' AND OTHER LAWS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act (RA) No. 2382 or "The Medical Act of 1959", as amended by RA 
No. 4224 in 1965 and RA No. 5946 in 1969, remains to be the law governing the 
practice of the medical profession. Medicine, as a branch of health science, is always 
in flux given considerable developments in education, practice, technology, and 
systems. Thus, the Practice of Medicine's governing law must be appropriate and 
responsive to the ever changing educational, economic, societal, technological and 
scientific innovations, as well as global standards and advancements.
This bill seeks to squarely address these changing dynamics of the practice of 
modern medicine, focusing on these key aspects: (1) upgrade of standards and 
regulations on basic medical education, medical internship, and post-graduate medical 
education and training; (2) conduct of licensure and registration of physicians; (3)


supervision and regulation of the practice of medicine; (4) integrating the profession 
under one national professional organization of physicians; (5) upholding of the 
patient welfare and patient safety as the primary consideration in the practice of 
medicine; and (6) promotion of competence, moral values, and professional ethics of 
members of the medical profession.
The bill likewise provides for the creation of the Medical Education Council 
(MEC) under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Professional 
Regulatory Board of Medicine (PRBM) under the Professional Regulation Commission 
(PRC), the Post-Graduate Medical Education Council (PGMEC) under the Professional 
Regulatory Board of Medicine (PRBM), and the Integrated National Professional 
Organization of Physicians (INPOP). These offices and agencies will ensure the 
development of the medical profession, which in effect can offer more protection to 
the economic and social conditions of its practitioners.
The bill also opens up the practice of profession to foreigners conditioned on 
reciprocity, provides for penalties for illegal practice of medicine, and stipulates a 
definition of medical malpractice and the corresponding penalties for such. These 
policies have long been absent in the existing laws on the medical profession, and 
these same policy issues should now be addressed to curb both illegal practice of 
medicine and medical practice.
We entrust our health and our lives to our doctors, especially during times of 
public health emergencies. It is thus only proper that we pass an updated legislation 
that will benefit not only the medical profession, but the society at large, who greatly 
depends on the knowledge and expertise of medical professionals, as well as their 
adherence to recognized global standards in healthcare.


In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestiy
sought.
TCHALIAN