Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8735
Tntroduced by: CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

It cannot be denied that there are aspects of learning that are better absorbed by students
when delivered face-to-face. For instance, medical and other allied health sciences subjects cannot
be purely taught through distance learning. The medical field largely requires practical and
technical skills acquired through face-to-face clinical instruction and experience. Thus, this
proposal seeks to classify students and teachers of medical and allied health courses as frontline
health workers, provided that, they belong to schools and universities allowed by CHED to conduct
limited face-to-face classes. The intent of this bill isto include them among those prioritized groups
for COVID-19 vaccination.

Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 4

CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO
Representative

First District of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 8735

Introduced by: CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO

AN ACT
CLASSIFYING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF MEDICINE AND ALLIED HEALTH
SCIENCES COURSES WHO ATTEND FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES AS FRONTLINE
HEALTH WORKERS THEREBY INCLUDING THEM AMONG THOSE
PRIORITIZED GROUPS FOR CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)
VACCINATION

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 “Citizens.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
social well-being. It is also the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development.

Towards this end, it is vital for the State to invest on health workers in order to ensure
better access to and enhanced quality of health services in the country.

SECTION 3. Students and Teachers of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences as
Frontline Health Workers. ~ The Department of Health (DOH) shall classify students and
teachers of medicine and allied health sciences who are required to attend face-to-face classes in
schools and universities and/or who are fulfilling their internship requirements in hospitals, clinics
and other health-related establishments as frontline health workers.

SECTION 4. Priority in COVID-19 Vaccination. — Being classified as frontline health
workers, these students and teachers shall then be included among those prioritized groups for
COVID-19 vaccination and other benefits.

SECTION 5. Limitation. — The benefit given by this Act shall be limited to those students
and teachers belonging to schools and universities allowed by the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) to conduct limited face-to-face classes. CHED shall conduct regular
inspections in such schools and universities in order to ensure that health protocols are being
followed.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days from its
approval, the DOH, in coordination with the CHED, shall formulate and promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.


SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or portion thereof,
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,