THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
Second Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On April 14, 1987, former President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation 
No. 96 declaring May 7 of that year and every year thereafter as "Health Workers' Day." 
However, its commemoration has since faded into oblivion, and along with it, the subject 
of its celebration. 
This bill seeks to officially reestablish "Health Workers' Day" on May 7 of 
every year to give due recognition and draw much needed attention to the plight of 
those who serve as the main pillars of the health care system in our country -the health 
workers. 
They are our doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, technicians, nutritionists, 
therapists, aides, and all other medical and allied professionals and support services 
personnel who toil anonymously yet devotedly in hospitals, clinics, barangay health 
centers and units in rural and urban areas. 
Despite the passage on March 26, 1992 of Republic Act 7305 - the Magna 
Carta of Public Health Workers - its declared objective "to promote and improve the 
social and economic well-being of the health workers, their living and working conditions 
and terms of employment" remains far from being realized. 
Today, most health workers in both the public and private sectors suffer a 
common lot: meager salaries, nonpayment of benefits, unreasonably long working 
hours, increased workload without corresponding compensation, dismal and unsafe 
working conditions, insecurity of tenure and suppression of the right to organize and to 
participate in the formulation of policies. 
The annual public observance of "Health Workers' Day" will give due 
recognition to the important role and contributions of the overworked and underpaid 
health workers who provide vital health services and assert as well their rights and 
welfare and sense of worth and dignity. It will also underscore the State's responsibility 
to provide the necessary salary increases and benefits for them and to spend for the 
health services much needed by the people. 
"ILLY 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
6 
JUN -7 p.? :.<, 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT DECLARING MAY 7 OF EVERY YEAR 
AS "HEALTH WORKERS DAY" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Health Workers' Day Act." 
SECTION 2. In order to give due recognition to the important role and contributions of 
the health workers who provide vital health services to our people and to promote their 
rights and welfare and enhance their sense of worth and dignity, May 7 of every year is 
hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as "Health Workers Day." 
SECTION 3. The term "health workers" covers all persons engaged in health and 
health-related services, including medical and allied professionals and support services 
personnel, who work in hospitals, sanitaria, health centers, clinics and other health- 
related establishments in the public and private sectors. 
SECTION 4. To ensure the meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, all 
heads of government health facilities, offices and instrumentalities, including 
government-owned and controlled hospitals as well as local government health units, 
and employers in the private sector, shall encourage and afford sufficient time and 
opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity to mark 
Health Workers' Day. 
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,