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* oarelUL_O 2, 2019
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1298

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The country has produced thousands of competent medical professionals over
the years — just this March 2017, the Professional Regulation Commission has
issued over 800 licenses to capable Physicians ' However, this number could still
not address the lack of willing professionals the government needs for the
healthcare services to soar, as the Philippines lacks almost 15,000 doctors to
adequately meet the needs of the health sect06.

According to Department of Health, the current ratio of doctors in the Philippines is 1
for every 33,000 Filipino’, which is way below the World Health Organization standard
ratio of 1 doctor to 1, OOO patients. Despite the projects and programs being done to
improve the quality of health care in the country, this still lacks the guidance and
professional aid of medical officers committed to ensuring quality health care for

The country needs to attract more doctors to work for the public health sector and,
consequently, attract more aspiring doctors. With the current salary rate given to an
entry level Medical Officer, more and more medical professionals opt to work outside
of public sector and, unfortunately, outside of the country, where pay is significantly
higher.

In addressing this concern, this bill aims to raise the minimum salary grade level of
government doctors to encourage them to work in public hospitals and public
institutions. This would help bridge the ratio gap between the doctor and patient
population and ensure quality health care for our people, especially those that are in
far-flung and rural areas.

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* http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2() 6/ 1 13/depanmen|-ol'-heal 1h-lack-of-doetors, html
The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS FAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1296

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE OF
GOVERNMENT
DOCTORS FROM SALARY GRADE 16 TO 24

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 the "Government Doctors’
Salary Upgrading Act of 2017."

Section 2. Declaration Policy. It is the Government's concern and responsibility to
provide adequate remuneration for public hospital doctors to attract and retain its rightful
share of talents with the end view of fulfilling the state policy of providing essential health
services to all Filipinos.

Section 3. Raising the Government Doctors’ Minimum Salary Grade Level. — The
present minimum salary grade of government doctors (Medical Officer |) shall be
upgraded from Salary Grade 16 to Salary Grade 24. Salary grade level of those
occupying higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly.

Section 4. Coverage. — This act shall cover all resident doctors in public hospitals,
whether nationally or locally funded.


Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Health
(DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 6. Appropriation. — The Government shall appropriate such amount as may
be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. Initial funds required for the
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the savings of the Executive Branch of
the government and other possible sources as may be determined by the Office of the
President. The subsequent funds needed shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act for the year following the implementation of this Act

Section 7. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall
not be affected thereby.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instructions,
resolutions, orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.