Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL 
WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Social workers stand at the frontlines of promoting the welfare of our 
communities and deserve not only recognition for their diligence, but also 
fairness and social protection. Amidst the pandemic, social workers ensure 
that social services are safely and efficiently delivered to our fellow Filipinos, 
especially to poor and far-flung communities. 
Despite the risks of infection and the social and economic challenges 
posed by the ongoing public health crisis, social workers in the public service 
have shown their commitment and dedication to helping the marginalized 
endure and face their struggles during the pandemic. They have stayed loyal 
and true to their profession’s goal of facilitating and strengthening the mutual 
adjustments between individuals and their social environment for the good of 
society. 
Indeed, social workers in the public service exemplify the State’s 
devotion to its constitutional policy of “promot[ing] a just and dynamic social 
order that will ensure the prosperity […] and free the people from poverty.” 
They are an integral part of our government’s strides to provide adequate 
social services and an improved quality of life for all. 
The roles of social workers in the Philippines in response to the 
pandemic are varied. Some of them are part of public health institutions as 
medical social workers. Some of them help in the implementation of the Social 
Amelioration Program (SAP), monitored by the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD);  in the information dissemination campaigns by 
the academe to improve knowledge and skills; in taking part in combating 
November 18, 2022
4:48 pm
6211


violence against children and women; and in providing services for the elderly 
and people with disability. These are on top of additional services 
implemented by civil society.1 
 
In our efforts to recognize and justly compensate the heroism and 
service of our frontline workers, the government has enacted Republic Act No. 
11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” and Republic Act No. 11494 or 
the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” which provide the legal basis for 
COVID-19 active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and special risk allowance (SRA). 
There are, however, gaps in these important landmark legislations and social 
workers are denied the treatment they rightfully deserve. 
 
This measure recognizes these statutory gaps and the challenges that 
public social workers face amidst the pandemic, especially on the delivery of 
social services to the people. To augment and strengthen these efforts and to 
properly acknowledge and compensate our heroes, it is imperative to increase 
the benefits and allowances that our public social workers receive during this 
public health crisis. 
 
 This bill seeks to provide allowances and benefits to public social 
workers during the state of public health emergency amidst the COVID-19 
pandemic. Included are fixed monthly special risk allowances; active hazard 
duty pays; PhilHealth coverage on all work-related medical expenses; life 
insurance, accommodation, transportation and meals or their cash 
equivalent; 
and 
just 
compensation 
worth 
One 
Million 
Pesos 
(Php1,000,000.00), in case of death, One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php100,000.00), in case of severe COVID-19 sickness, and Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (Php15,000.00), in case of mild or moderate COVID-19 case. 
 
Public social workers perform vital and valuable work in the delivery 
of social services to the Filipino people amidst the ongoing COVID-19 
pandemic. They are heroes, promoting the good and welfare of our 
communities through a profession rooted on selflessness. This fact has 
especially rang true during these difficult times. It is the hope of this measure 
to provide better working conditions and more just and equitable benefits for 
social workers in the country, which would, in turn, inspire them as they 
accomplish their duties with care and compassion. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
                                       
1 International Federation of Social Workers, ‘The Role of Social Workers Across ASEAN Countries in Response 
to COVID-19 Pandemic’. Available at: https://www.ifsw.org/the-role-of-social-workers-across-asean-countries-
in-response-to-covid-19-pandemic/. (Accessed Online 8 November 2022) 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL 
WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Allowances and 
Benefits for Social Workers Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to ensure that the general welfare of Filipino social workers is promoted 
through adequate compensation and benefits commensurate to their 
qualifications and the services they provide, which are critical to the 
promotion of social change and development, social cohesion, the 
empowerment and liberation of people, and delivery of social services. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. – The provisions and benefits provided under this Act 
shall be given to all public social workers who are engaged in social services 
delivery during the state of public health emergency due to the COVID- 19 
pandemic as declared by the President of the Philippines. This Act shall cover 
all registered social workers in government service, including those whose 
services are engaged through job orders or contracts of service. 
SECTION 4. Allowances and Benefits. – The following shall be provided to 
all public social workers covered under Section 3 of this Act: 
(a) A fixed monthly COVID-19 special risk allowance for every month that
they are serving during the state of national emergency as declared by
the President;
6211


(b) Active Hazard Duty Pay exclusively for social workers for every month 
that they are serving during the state of national emergency as declared 
by the President; 
 
(c) Assumption of all medical expenses by the Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation in case of exposure to COVID-19 or any work-related injury 
or disease; 
 
(d) Provision of compensation to public social workers who have contracted 
COVID-19 in the line of duty, with the following amounts, upon 
submission of required documents to support claims: 
 
1) In case of death of the social worker, One Million Pesos 
(Php1,000,000.00) shall be provided to the heirs of the social worker; 
 
2) In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, One Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00) shall be provided to the social 
worker; and 
 
3) In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case, Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (Php15,000.00) shall be provided to the social worker; 
 
(e)  Provision of life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals, 
or their cash equivalent. 
 
The provision of the foregoing benefits shall have retroactive application from 
July 1, 2021, and shall be exempt from income tax. 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriation. – The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year available appropriations 
of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and/or the current 
year’s Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund, and any sources available as 
may be identified by Department of Budget and Management. Thereafter, the 
amount necessary for its continuous implementation shall be included in the 
Annual General Appropriations. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty days 
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development and the Department of Budget and Management, in 
consultation with other government agencies and concerned stakeholders, 
shall issue the rules and regulations necessary to effectively implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
 


SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,