Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2777

Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G.
Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K.
Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223) envisions accessible,
efficient, and equitable health care for all Filipinos. However, this vision is
undermined by the persistent shortage of regular plantilla positions for
health workers in both national and local settings, leading to over-reliance
on contractual and job-order workers. This measure seeks to
institutionalize the creation of plantilla positions for qualified public health
personnel and ensure their protection under civil service laws and the
Magna Carta for Public Health Workers (RA 7305).

The COVID-19 pandemic has also revealed systemic vulnerabilities,
highlighting the urgency of a resilient and stable health workforce.

This bill strengthens the health system by ensuring decent, secure,
and merit-based employment for public health workers through mandatory
plantilla positions.

This is one of the bills proposed during the first Eastern Visayas
Young Leaders Parliament held on December 11-15, 2024.

Immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

RECEIVED
pare 3 0 JUL 2025

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DINANI Lh . ROMYALDEZ Oe K, ROMUALDEZ
ANDREW alent ROMUALDEZ JUDRA. ACIDRE


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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 2777

Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G.
Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K.
Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE CREATION AND REGULARIZATION OF
PLANTILLA POSITIONS FOR QUALIFIED PUBLIC HEALTH
WORKERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public
Health Workers Plantilla Regularization Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
uphold the right of every Filipino to quality health services and to promote
and protect the welfare of public health workers by ensuring secure, just,
and equitable employment in accordance with the Universal Health Care
Act and the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the
following terms shall be defined as:


a) Plantilla Position refers to a regular and permanent position in the
government staffing pattern approved by the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) and the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM).

b) Public Health Worker refers to all persons engaged in health and
\-related work employed in government health institutions and
S, aS defined under RA 7305.

c) Local Government Unit (LGU) refers to any province, city,
municipality, or barangay, including their respective health offices
and facilities.

Section 4. Mandatory Creation of Plantilla Positions. - All
national government health facilities and LGUs shall, within three (3) years
from the effectivity of this Act, create and fill plantilla positions for all
essential public health worker roles, including but not limited to: medical
doctors, nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, medical
technologists; dentists; nutritionists; mental health professionals; sanitary
inspectors; administrative and support health personnel

Priority shall be given to those who have served under job-order, contract
of service (COS), or emergency hire statuses for at least two (2)
consecutive years and have rendered satisfactory performance.

Section 5. Guidelines for Implementation. - The Department of
Health (DOH), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC)
and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall issue the
implementing rules and guidelines, including:

a) Standard plantilla models adaptable to the needs of LGUs;

b) Minimum staffing requirements based on population and facility
level;

c) Merit-based qualification and promotion standards;

d) Transitional support for COS and job-order workers.

Section 6. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to implement
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DOH
and the concerned LGUs. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).


The national government shall provide special financial assistance or
augmentation to resource-challenged LGUs for the creation of plantilla
positions.

Section 7. Monitoring and Accountability. - The DOH and CSC
shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of plantilla
positions created and filled; number of former COS/job-order workers
regularized; and remaining staffing gaps and challenges.

Section. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in coordination with
the Leyte Sab-a Peatland Council and relevant stakeholders, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective
implementation.

Section. 9. Separability Clause - If any part, section, or provision
of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,