Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH  CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE`B|L`LNo.6198
Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The  hardships  and  serious  health  risks  faced  by  government  medical  and
health personnel became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. These exposure to
great  risks  by  government  medical  and  health  personnel  is  akin  to  the  risks  that
military or uniformed  personnel face  in the line of duty.  As such, this representation
finds  it proper to also afford  government medical  and  health  personnel the  right to
retire at the age of fifty-six (56).
In    addition,   the   early   retirement   of   medical   and    health    personnel    in
government service will  also  pave the way for employment of younger medical  and
health  professionals.  It  is  of  public  knowledge  that  a  lot  of  Filipino  medical  and
health   professionals   opt  to   leave  the   country  for   better  opportunities   abroad.
Allowing  long-time  serving  medical  and  health  personnel  to  retire  early  will  create
more  room for the government to take  in  medical and  health  personnel,  which this
representation  sees  as  a  feasible  way  to  keep  the  younger  medical  and  health
personnel  in the country. There is a  real and  immediate  need to entice medical and
health  personnel  to  remain  in  the  country  to  serve  Filipinos  in  times  of pandemics
and  other health  catastrophes.  Early retirement for medical  and  health  personnel  in
the government service  is one way of encouraging  Filipinos to  stay and  serve their
own countrymen.
The Constitution  has declared  it a  poliey to the  right of Filipinos to  health,  to
wit" ``The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them" (Section  15, Article 11,  1987 Constitution). Taking
care of the people, who are primarily the ones who take care of the right to health
of Filipinos, is well-within the promotion of such Constitutional fiat.
For the Filipino people, approval of the bill is earnestly sought.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HoUsE B`IiL`No.    6198
Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO
AN ACT ALLOWING MEDICAL AND HEALTH PERSONNEL IN
GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO RETIRE AT THE AGE OF
FIFTY-SIX (56) YEARS OLD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled :
SRgdilom  1.   Short  Title. This  AIct  s!rfuaiNul  be  k]mown  as "MEDICAL  AND  HEALTH
PERSONNEL IN GOVERNMENT SEIVICE RETIREMENT AGE ACT."
Section  2.  Oca/ari}f7.o#  of flo/Mty.  The  State  recognizes  the  hardships  and  serious
health  risks that medical  and  health  personnel  in the government service face.  The
State  values  the   importance  that  medical   and   health   personnel   in   government
service in nation-building with utmost importance.
Section  3.   Agf7+eme#f  af  f*e  age  af ff.fy-St*  rears  O/d.   Medical  and  health
personnel who have served in government service for a total period of not less than
twenty (20) years shall  have the right to retire at the age of fifty-six (56) years old.
The  mandatory  retirement  age  of  medical   and   health   personnel   in   government
service shall be sixty (60) years old.
Section  4.   CcMerage,  For  piirposes  of this  Act,  medical  and  health  personnel  in
government service shall  only pertain to those employees who actually and  directly
work  in  government  health  care  facilities  and  systems.   Medical  and  health  care
personnel  in   government  service  shall   include  nurses,   medical  doctors,  dentists,
radiologists,  physical  therapists,  occupational  therapists,  psychiatrists,  pharmacists,
medical  technologists,  physician  assistants,  midwives,  veterinarians,  and  the  like.
Medical  and  health  professionals  who  are  employed  in  government  service  but  do
not have actual or direct functions relating to health care shall not be covered by this
Act.
Srfgdi"n 5.  Implementing  Rules and  Regulations. W.rNhin rinerty  (90r) days frcJm the
approval    of   this   Act,    the   Civil    Service   Commission,    Department   of   Health,


Professional   Regulation   Commission,   and   Government  Service  Insurance   System
shall  work together  and  come-up  with  the  rules  and  regulations  implementing  the
provisions of this law.
Section 6.  S€para4/7xfy C7a"5g. - If any portion  or provision  of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.
Section  7.  Aclpca/r`#g Cyawse.  - All  laws,  presidential  decrees,  letters of instruction
executive  orders,   rules  and  regulations,  or  a  part  thereof  inconsistent  with  the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8. fiifect/.rify. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication  in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,