Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES }
Quezon City 4 UME:
Ve BY: ~
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS “A

First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO, 5096

Jelen” D.L. Tan, M.D, _

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE SALARY OF, AND ADDITIONAL
INCENTIVES FOR, GOVERNMENT PHYSICIANS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Based on the World Health Organization's estimate, there are 22,000 health professionals
who leave the country every year to work overseas. The Philippines is the world’s largest exporter of
nurses and the second largest exporter of doctors. It is, however, ironic that of the 70% of Filipinos
living in rural areas, only 10% benefit from the services of medical professionals.

The Philippine Star in its editorial reports that “Several years after some 100 private
hospitals across the archipelago were forced to close shop for lack of health professionals
particularly physicians, the country continues to suffer from a shortage of doctors (19 July 2013).
‘This is the sad situation of most hospitals especially in rural areas in Visayas and Mindanao. Even
prestigious medical institutions find it difficult to attraet fresh graduates to fill up slots for doctors.
The government has acknowledged the reality that, indeed, the country is facing an alarming
shortage of medical doctors and other medical professionals.

According to the International Organization for Migration (2013), “the Philippines fares well
in terms of the education and health components of human development index (HDD) - although
further improvements would be welcome — but is less successful in the provision of decent income,
a dimension that is inextricably linked to employment.”

Consistent with the 1987 Constitution, which provides that “The State shall...undertake
appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country's health needs
and problems (Article XII, Section 12), this measure proposes to raise the minimum salary grade
level of government doctors to encourage health professionals to work in public hospitals instead of
seeking employment overseas.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGELINA “HELE!
4th Distriet, Quezon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo, 5096 _

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE SALARY OF, AND ADDITIONAL
INCENTIVES FOR, GOVERNMENT PHYSICIANS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1, Declaration of Policy. - it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
continuously promote and improve the social and economic well-being of government physicians as
well as their living and working conditions to help ensure, promote and maintain the delivery of
basic health services.

SEC. 2. Coverage. - The provision of the Act shall apply to all government physicians. As
used in this Act, government physicians refer to Doctors of Medicine duly certified by the
Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) who are in the active practice of medicine, employed by
the national government or a local government unit, as the case may be, either in public health
institutions or in any national government or local government unit, agency or instrumentality.

SEC. 3. Salary Grade Adjustment. - The minimum base pay of physicians working in
government shall not be lower than Salary Grade 24 pursuant to Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) and Department of Health (DOH) Joint Circular NO, 2013-1 dated September
23, 2013 entitled Revised Standards on Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern of
Government Hospitals.

SEC. 4. Loyalty Service Pay. - An annual loyalty pay equivalent to seventy-five percent
(75%) of the prevailing one (1) month basic salary/base pay of government physicians shall be given
to government physicians who have rendered at least three (3) years of government service. This
will take effect immediately after the approval of this Act.

SEC. 5. Transportation, Representation, Food, and Medical Allowances. ~ All government
physicians assigned to geographically isolated and depressed areas and conflict areas shall be
entitled to the following monthly allowances:

‘Area of Assignment Amount of TA and RA | Amount of FA | Amount of MA
Geographically Isolated Areas P 15,000.00 P 10,000.00 P 8,000.00
(GIDA) ks

Conflict Areas P 18,000.00 P 12,000.00. P 10,000.00

SEC. 6, Educational Grant and Return to Service Program. - All government physicians
who have rendered at least five (5) years of continuous service in government shall be entitled to an
educational grant not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php200,000.00) for any medical
course or training which may be availed of here or abroad. Provided, that those who have availed of



such grant shall render and participate into a Return of Service Program at any public hospital or
institution for such period which shall be determined as far as practicable by DOH and for
institution from which such grant was received.

SEC. 7. Implementing Guidelines. - The DOH, in consultation with the DBM and the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall issue such implementing guidelines as
may be appropriate for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act within ninety (90)
days from the approval thereof.

SEC. 8. Appropriation. - The Government shall appropriate such amounts as may be
necessary to fund the salary increase, allowances and other benefits provided in this Act. The initial
funds required for the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the savings of the Executive
Department as well as other possible sources as may be determined by the Office of the President.
The funds necessary for the implementation of the Act in subsequent years shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act to be proposed by the DBM annually,

SEC. 9. Repealing Clausi
inconsistent with any provisio

All laws, rules, regulations, orders, cireula
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified a

and memoranda
ordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be thereby affected.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,