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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6959

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Department of Health (‘DOH’), oral disease continues to be a
serious public health problem in the Philippines. In particular, the prevalence of dental caries
on permanent teeth has generally remained above 90% throughout the years.’ Moreover,
about 92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay (dental caries) and 78% have gum diseases
(periodontal diseases).? While they are preventable, these oral diseases regrettably affect
almost every Filipino at one point or another in his or her lifetime.? Hence, the importance of
good dental hygiene among our citizens cannot be overemphasized. Needless to say, it is
vital to living positive and healthy lives and, consequently, the achievement of the State’s
policy towards the protection and promotion of the right to health of the people.

Unfortunately, however, most of our Kababayans do not have the financial means to
avail of the services of private dentists. Thus, they heavily rely on the services of dentists in
public health institutions and those assigned in or working for national government agencies
(‘NGAs’) including state universities and colleges ("SUCs"), government owned and
controlled corporations ("GOCCs’) and local government units ("LGUs"). In 2017, it is said
that in an average, every public dentist caters to 91,000 patients.* To date, the ratio of
government dentist to patient remains dismaying, thus, preventing the government from
effectively addressing the problems brought about by poor dental hygiene.

In recognition of the important role played by government dentists in maintaining and
promoting the oral health of the people, this legislation seeks to reallocate the salary grade
levels of all government dentists. By doing so, we aim to augment the current manpower by
attracting more competent dentists to join, and the existing ones to remain in, public service.
Accordingly, the government will be more able to effectively provide proper oral health
services in the entire country, especially those in far-flung areas.

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

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES
Representative
3 District, Quezon City

Dental Health Program available at hips://sww.dah gov.ph/dental-health-program (ast accessed 3 June 2020).
ld

Id,
Hike in dentists’ salaries pushed available at
-salaties- (ast accessed 3 June 2020)

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6959

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

AN ACT TO UPGRADE THE SALARY SCALES OR LEVELS
OF PUBLIC DENTISTS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title
Standardization Act of 2020.

This Act shall be known as the “Public Dentist Salary

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution
provides that “[the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them.” Under Section 2 of Republic Act 7305 or the
Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, it is the declared policy of the State to “instill health
consciousness among our people to effectively carry out the health programs and projects
to the government essential for the growth and health of the nation.”® Towards this end,
the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers aims to, among, others, “promote and improve
the social and economic well-being of the health workers, their living and working
conditions and terms of employment.”®

Pursuant to these, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the
important role played by government dentists in maintaining and promoting the oral health
of the people. Thus, the government must ensure that these government dentists are
properly compensated and their working and living conditions continuously improved.

SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all dentists, regardless of
employment status, in all public health institutions, whether nationally or locally funded, as
well as those assigned in or working for national government agencies (“NGAs”) including
state universities and colleges ("SUCs”), government owned and controlled corporations
(“GOCCs’) and local government units (‘LGUs’).

SECTION 4. Upgraded Salary Scales or Levels. - The following salary scales
or levels of Dentist position in the government are hereby upgraded upon the effectivity of
this Act:

Section 2, Republic Act 7305, Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, 26 March 1992.
Id

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Position Title Old Salary Grade | New Salary Grade
Dentist | 13 17
Dentist I 16 20
Dentist Ill 19 23
Dentist IV 22 25
Dentist V 24 27
Dentist VI 26 29
Dentist VII 28 30

SECTION 5. 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 that 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 6. /mplementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate government office
or agency in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered establishments and
institutions.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
rules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

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

Approved,

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