SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 138G
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 19 AND 39 OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER SEVEN 
THOUSAND 
AND 
THREE 
HUNDRED 
AND 
FIVE 
(R.A. 
7305)
OTHERWISE KNOWTV AS THE MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Section 3 thereof, states
that:
T//C State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized 
and unorganized, and promote full eniploi/nient and equality ofeniploi/ment 
opportu n i ties for all. xxx "
According to the statement of the Health Secretary, Sec. Paulyn Rosell- 
Ubial, the country is short of 15,000 doctors to be able to adequately meet the 
health needs of Filipinos each year. Furthermore, she stated that there is a lack 
of volunteer doctors to go to the rural areas, not to mention the continuing 
exodus of nurses going out of the countiy for higher salary and better 
opportunities. The Secretary also mentioned that, despite the provision of 
giving salaries, compensation pay, allowances, there are some local 
government units that do not provide all the benefits to the health workers.
For these reasons, our health sector is suffering and Filipinos are 
deprived of medical attention as the health-care brain drain continues.
It is the purpose of the bill to increase the salary of Rural Health 
Physicians from salary grade 24 to 26. Moreover, the propose legislation 
includes a provision for the sanction of local government units who violate the 
giving of salary and allowances of public rural health physicians and other 
health workers.


sought.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly
^ C ) - "
JOSEPH VICTOR EJERCITO


Ilr
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO.
138K
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RECtlVLu 3V;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 19 AND 39 OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER SEVEN 
THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED AND FIVE (R.A. 7305) OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. Tlie State affirms labor as a primary
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social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their
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w e lfa re .
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SEC.2. Section 19 of Republic Act Number Seven Thousand and Five (RA 
7305) otherwise known as the “Magna Carta of Public Health Workers" is hereby 
amended to read as follows;
Section 19. Salaries.- In the determination of the salary scale of public 
health workers, the provisions of Republic Act No. 6758 shall govern, except that 
the benchmark for Rural Health Physicians shall be upgraded to grade [24] 26."
SEC.3. Section 39 of Republic Act Number Seven Thousand and Five (RA 
7305) otherwi.se known as the “Magna Carta of Public Health Workers" is hereby 
amended to add the following paragraph to read as follows:
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'Section 39. Penal Provision. Xxx


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"LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO WILLFULLY CIRCUMVENT 
OR VIOLATE THE GIVING OF SALARY, COMPENSATION, PAY AND 
ALLOWANCE OF PUBLIC RURAL HEALTH PHYSICIANS AND OTHER 
PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AS PROVIDED IN RA 7305 SHALL BE A 
GROUND FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION"
SEC.4. Separability Clause - If any provisions of this Act shall be held to be 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act not otherwise affected shall remain in 
full force and effect.
SEC.5. Repealing Clause - All laws, orders, rules and regulations, parts 
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after 
its complete publication in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation or in 
the Official Gazette.
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Approved,
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