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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. CEE

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our health workers have been at the forefront of our battle against the COVID-19 pandemic since
its onset in March 2020. Despite the challenges brought about by the limitations and weaknesses
of our healthcare system, medical frontliners rallied on and kept working the service of every
Filipino. Medical frontliners are our nation’s line of defense against COVID-19 and future public
health emergencies.

In recognition of the invaluable service of medical frontliners in the country’s response to public
health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this measure seeks to make essential goods,
health and other services available to them at a more affordable cost. Considering the hazards
they face in the fulfillment of their duties which not only puts their physical well-being in risk but
also their capacity to provide for themselves and their families, it is only apt that the State ensure
and look after their welfare. Considering the fact that public health emergencies largely affect
economies, it is important that medical frontliners are given some protection to ensure their
wellbeing.

Under this proposed measure, medical frontliners are entitled to twenty percent (20%) discount
‘on goods and services which includes public transport facilities, health services, accommodation
and dining, and physical fitness facilities.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

REP. Ss. 1 filha

(_/ 2nd District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8383

Introduced by HON, JOY MYRA S, TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
GRANTING DISCOUNT PRIVILEGES TO MEDICAL FRONTLINERS

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 “Medical Frontliners Discount Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure
the welfare of medical workers in recognition of their indispensable role in the healthcare system
of our country, particularly in times of a pandemic or public health emergency. Towards this end,
the State shall adopt a program to make essential goods, health and other services available to
them at an affordable cost.

The provisions and benefits of this Act shall be given to public and private medical workers who
are actively engaged in treating patients affected by a pandemic or national health emergency.
The provisions of this Act shall only apply during a pandemic or public health emergency as
declared by the National Government.

SECTION 3. Public Transport Facilities. — All government-owned and controlled corporation
or private entities, owning, operating, or managing public transport facilities, whether land, sea,
or air, shall give priority to the medical frontline workers, and provide them with at least twenty-
percent (20%) discount on alf transportation fare within the Philippines.

SECTION 4. Health Services. — Medical frontline workers shall also be entitled to a discount of
at least twenty percent (20%) on fees or charges for hospital, medical, and dental services
rendered by public and private medical institutions and practitioners.

Drugstores and drug companies shall extend to the medical frontline workers a discount of not
less than twenty percent (20%) on the cost of medicines and supplemental vitamins, as
prescribed by a registered medical or dental practitioner.

SECTION 5. Hotels, Lodging Houses, Restaurants, and Eateries, - Medical frontline
workers shall be granted a minimum discount of twenty percent (20%) on rentals for lodging in
hotels, motels, inns, pension, or other lodging houses and on the cost of food served in cafes,


cafeterias, refreshment parlors, restaurants, soda fountain bars, carinderia, or food caterers, and
other similar establishments.

SECTION 7. Physical Fitness Facilities. — Any hospital, gym, or other facility offering physical
fitness programs shall extend to medical frontline workers at a twenty percent (20%) discount.

SECTION 8. Limitation on discount privileges and other benefits. — The discount
privileges and other benefits mentioned in this Act shall apply only to the personal account of the
public school teacher in payment for services and goods actually used by him or her. These shall
not extend to his or her relatives or companions who are not qualified beneficiaries under this
Act.

ailment. ~ Medical frontline workers qualified under this act may avail of the
leges upon presentation of a valid identification card issued by their employer, a
Professional Regulation Commission Professional ID Card and a supporting document issued by
employer stating that they are in fact engaged in the treatment of patients affected by a pandemic
or national health emergency.

SECTION 10. Rules and Regulations. — The Department Health, in coordination with the
‘other concerned government agencies, in coordination with other stakeholders, shall issue the
tules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Penalties. — Any person who refuses to extend the privileges and benefits granted
under this Act to medical frontliners entitled thereto after request and proper identification of who
unduly takes advantage of any such privileges or benefits, or who violates any of the rules and
regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act, shall suffer the penalty of prision correccional or a
fine of not less than two hundred pesos (PhP 200.00) nor more than six thousand pesos (PhP
6,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

In case the offender is a corporation, cooperative, partnership or association, the penalty shall
be imposed upon the president, manager, or officers thereof who had knowingly permitted or
were otherwise responsible for the commission of the offense. If it can be shown that such refusal
to grant discount privileges is a corporate decision, all the members of the board shall be held
liable.

In case of a succeeding offense, the penalties of both imprisonment and fine shall be imposed in
the maximum period. In addition thereto, such shall be sufficient cause for the immediate
cancellation of the professional license or permit to operate the business or medical
establishment.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.


SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,