Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS FOR HEALTH CARE 
WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, health care workers have 
been at the vanguard of protecting the health and welfare of the general public 
as they risk their lives to serve and provide care especially for COVID-19 
infected patients. Health care workers are the heart and soul of the public 
health system amidst risks of COVID-19 infection and the social and 
economic challenges posed by the pandemic. 
As the COVID-19 pandemic continue to persist, health care workers 
have faced numerous challenges on their working conditions and accessing 
benefits duly provided by the government to recognize their heroism and 
dedication. 
In our efforts to recognize and justly compensate the heroism and 
service of our health care workers, the government has enacted Republic Act 
No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and Republic Act No. 11494 
or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which provide the legal basis for 
COVID-19 active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and special risk allowance (SRA) for 
health care workers. However, some groups of health care workers in various 
hospitals have reported failing to receive or have faced delays in receiving the 
aforementioned benefits. 
October 1, 2021
5:13 pm
10331


To augment and strengthen these efforts and to properly recognize and 
compensate our heroes, it is imperative to increase the benefits and 
allowances that our health care workers receive during this public health 
crisis. 
 This bill seeks to provide increased allowances and benefits to health 
care workers during the state of public health emergency amidst the COVID-
19 pandemic. Included are fixed monthly special risk allowances; active 
hazard duty pays; PhilHealth coverage on all work-related medical expenses; 
life insurance, accommodation, transportation and meals or their cash 
equivalent; 
and 
just 
compensation 
worth 
One 
Million 
Pesos 
(Php1,000,000.00) in case of death, One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php100,000.00) in case of severe COVID-19 sickness, and Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (Php15,000.00) in case of mild or moderate COVID-19 case. 
 It is the hope of this measure to provide better working conditions and 
benefits for health care workers in the country that would cater to their needs 
and welfare which would in turn inspire and encourage them to serve in the 
country in the long run. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
ALFRED VARGAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS FOR HEALTH CARE 
WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, APPROPRIATING 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. – This Act shall be known as the "Allowances and 
Benefits for Health Care Workers Act."  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to ensure that the general welfare of Filipino healthcare workers is 
promoted through adequate compensation and benefits commensurate to 
their educational attainment and the services they provide, which are critical 
to the promotion of health, disease prevention, and health care services 
delivery. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. - The provisions and benefits provided under this Act 
shall be given to all healthcare workers who are engaged in health and health 
related work in health facilities during the state of public health emergency 
due to the COVID- 19 pandemic as declared by the President of the 
Philippines. Healthcare workers shall include medical, allied health 
professional, administrative and support personnel, employed regardless of 
their employment status. 
SECTION 4. Allowances and Benefits. The following shall be provided to all 
healthcare workers covered under Section 3 of this Act: 
10331


(a) A fixed monthly COVID-19 special risk allowance for every month that 
they are serving during the state of national emergency as declared by 
the President: Provided, That the COVlD-19 special risk allowance of 
public health workers shall be in addition to the hazard pay granted 
under Republic Act No. 7305 or the "Magna Carta of Public Health 
Workers"; 
 
(b) Active Hazard Duty Pay exclusively for public health workers for every 
month that they are serving during the state of national emergency as 
declared by the President: Provided, That the Active Hazard Duty shall 
be in addition to the hazard pay granted under Republic Act No. 7305 
or the "Magna Carta of Public Health Workers"; 
 
(c) Assumption of all medical expenses by the Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation in case of exposure to COVID-19 or any work-related injury 
or disease; 
 
(d) Provision of compensation to public and private healthcare workers who 
have contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty, with the following 
amounts, upon submission of required documents to support claims: 
 
1) In case of death of the health worker, One Million Pesos 
(Php1,000,000.00) shall be provided to the heirs of the health 
worker; 
2) In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case, One Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00) shall be provided to the health 
worker; and 
3) In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case, Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (Php15,000.00) shall be provided to the health worker; 
 
(e)  Provision of life insurance, accommodation, transportation, and meals, 
or their cash equivalent. 
 
The provision of the foregoing benefits shall have retroactive application from 
July 1, 2021, and shall be exempt from income tax. 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriation. – The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year available appropriations 
of the Department of Health and/or the current year's Miscellaneous 
Personnel Benefit Fund, and any sources available as may be identified by 
DBM. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation 
shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations. 
 


SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty days 
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health and the 
Department of Budget and Management, in consultation with other 
government agencies and concerned stakeholders, shall issue the rules and 
regulations necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,