Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.0644

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The country has produced thousands of competent medical professionals over the
years — just this March 2017, the Professional Regulation Commission has issued
over 800 licenses to capable Physicians’. However, this number could still not
address the lack of willing professionals the government needs for the healthcare
services to soar, as the Philippines lacks almost 15,000 doctors to adequately meet
the needs of the health sector.

According to Department of Health, the current ratio of doctors in the Philippines is 1
for every 33,000 Filipinos®, which is way below the World Health Organization
standard ratio of 1 doctor to 1,000 patients. Despite the projects and programs being
done to improve the quality of health care in the country, this still lacks the guidance
and professional aid of medical officers committed to ensuring quality health care for
every Filipino.

The country needs to attract more doctors to work for the public health sector and,
consequently, attract more aspiring doctors. With the current salary rate given to an
entry level Medical Officer, more and more medical professionals opt to work outside
of public sector and, unfortunately, outside of the country, where pay is significantly
higher.

In addressing this concern, this bill aims to raise the minimum salary grade level of
government doctors to encourage them to work in public hospitals and public
institutions. This would help bridge the ratio gap between the doctor and patient
population and ensure quality health care for our people, especially those that are in
far-flung and rural areas.

" hutp://www pre. gov. ph/news/id=6485
* Ibid.

* hup://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/10/13/deparment-of-health-lack-of-doctors. htm!


The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS RAYM! F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

V


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no? 644

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALAGY GRADE OF GOVERNMENT
DOCTORS FROM SALARY GRADE 16 TO 24

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 “Government Doctors’
Salary Upgrading Act of 2017."

Section 2. Declaration Policy. — \t is the Government's concem and
responsibility to provide adequate remuneration for public hospital doctors to attract
and retain its rightful share of talents with the end view of fulfilling the state policy of

providing essential health services to all Filipinos.

Section 3. Raising the Government Doctors’ Minimum Salary Grade Level. —
The present minimum salary grade of government doctors (Medical Officer |) shall be
upgraded from Salary Grade 16 to Salary Grade 24. Salary grade level of those

occupying higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly.

Section 4. Coverage. — This act shall cover all resident doctors in public

hospitals, whether nationally or locally funded.


Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health
(DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 6. 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 as 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 7. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall
not be affected thereby.

s

Section 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instructions,
resolutions, orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly

Section 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.