Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT GRANTING CONTINUING COVID-19 BENEFITS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH 
WORKERS DURING THE PERIOD OF THE PANDEMIC AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Constitution under Article II, Section 15 expresses its policy that the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. A Presidential 
Proclamation No. 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines was issued 
last 8 March 2020 and remains in force up to now as it is not yet withdrawn nor lifted by the President. 
Currently, after two years, the Covid-19 outbreak remains to threaten our national security and public 
health making our country chiefly dependent on our health workers who serve as our protectors from the 
said virus. 
The country’s health workers, doctors, and other frontlines in the health sector tirelessly serve and cure 
those infected with the virus although most of them do not receive the benefits them. It is hard to ignore 
raging news information that overworked nurses and doctors stage protests with threats of mass 
resignations if the government does not make them feel important through the provision of 
allowances/benefits. We must acknowledge that our nation cannot afford to have closed hospitals and 
understaffed health facilities, especially now that the virus is mutating with precarious variants. 
This bill seeks to appreciate their significant role by emphasizing their continuing benefits as stated under 
Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act “Bayanihan 2” even though said law 
already lapsed last 30 June 2021. This law expressed those benefits of the health workers will be granted 
as long as the declaration of the national emergency is not yet withdrawn by the President. Granting the 
urgent need for this legislation, we urge its immediate approval and enactment. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the Filipino 
people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
August 23, 2022
2:27 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT GRANTING CONTINUING COVID-19 BENEFITS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH 
WORKERS DURING THE PERIOD OF THE PANDEMIC AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF 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 and cited as “COVID-19 Benefits for Health Workers 
Act of 2022.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – The State shall instill health consciousness among our people and 
recognizes that adequate support to our health workers, in public and private sectors, is paramount to 
ensure continuous delivery of health services, especially during the existence of a national public health 
emergency. Towards this end, it shall safeguard the welfare of our health workers and guarantee that all 
benefits owing to them shall be provided to them with utmost efficiency. 
SECTION 3. Coverage – This Act shall apply to all public and private health workers during the period of 
the Covid-19 pandemic, regardless of employment status. Public and private health workers shall refer to 
medical, allied medical, and other necessary personnel assigned in hospitals, health care facilities, 
laboratories, medical or quarantine facilities, or vaccination sites and those administering medical 
assistance. It also includes non-medical workers and outsourced personnel hired under institutional or 
individual contracts or service or job order basis who are similarly exposed to Covid-19. 
SECTION 4. Continuing Grant of COVID-19 Benefits – The national government shall provide the 
following benefits to covered individuals under Section 3 hereof: 
(a) Covid-19 special risk allowance and active hazard duty pay for every month served:
Provided, That the special risk allowance and active hazard duty pay shall be in addition to existing benefits 
being received by health workers under existing laws; 
(b) Provision of life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals, regardless of
the community quarantine status; and 
(c) Provision of compensation to those 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 covered individual, One million pesos (P1,000,000)
shall be provided to the heirs of the covered individual;
(2) In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, One hundred thousand pesos
(P 100,000) shall be provided to the covered individuals; and
(3) In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case, Fifteen thousand pesos
(P15,000) shall be provided to the covered individuals:
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Provided, that the compensation provided herein shall be given to the beneficiaries 
not later than three (3) months after the date of confinement or death. 
 
 
The provision of the foregoing benefits shall have a retroactive application from July 1, 
2021, and shall remain in full force and effect during the state of national health emergency as declared 
by the President. 
 
SECTION 5. Tax Exemption – The benefits received by covered workers under this Act, during the 
period of the Covid-19 pandemic shall be exempt from income tax. 
 
SECTION 6. Appropriations – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged 
against the current year’s available appropriations of the Department of Health. Thereafter, the amount 
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations. 
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations – Within sixty (60) days from the effectiveness of 
this Act, the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management shall promulgate the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - 
 All laws, decrees, executive orders, executive issuances or letters 
of instruction, rules, and regulations, or any part thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of 
this Act are hereby deemed repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause – If, for any reason or reasons, any part or parts of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid by any competent court, other sections or provisions hereof not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause – This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,