Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES », OOHAR 2015
Quezon City WELK
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

x /NDEX OZ
HOUSE BILL No. __ 9042 le Lae

Introduced by Reps. NERI J. COLMENARES and CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY OF DOCTORS TO P50,000 AND
PROVIDING FOR HAZARD PAY FOR DOCTORS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to upgtade the minimum salary of doctors and ensure their hazard allowance to
encourage more medical professionals to work in the country and effectively provide health services
especially in the face of serious health threats like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
(MERS CoV).

‘The Philippines is said to be the number one exporter of nurses and the number two exporter of
doctors in the world. Yet, 7 out of 10 Filipinos die without seeing a health professional.

Data from IBON Foundation showed that in 2007, there were only seven (7) government doctors
for every 200,000 Filipinos, way below the World Health Organization standard ratio of 1 doctor to
5,000 patients.

According to the International Labor Organization, health professionals leave the country because
of “colonial mentality, economic needs, career development and better standard of living abroad.”
‘The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) said that the most common reasons for doctor migration
ate low salaties and inhumane working conditions.

Resident doctors in national public hospitals receive P39,493 (Salary Grade 21) per month based on
Joint Resolution No 4 or Salary Standardization Law III (SSL3) and 5% hazard pay equivalent to
1,974.65. Before 2009, prior to the implementation of Salary Standardization Law IIT, resident
doctors who were then under Salary Grade 18 get 25% hazard pay or P4,356, based on the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (RA 7305). This
reduction in the hazard pay resulted to decreased morale among many public physicians.

The Department of Health in 2008 said that the average salary of private sector physicians at
P18,134 represents only a third of the median monthly salaries in foreign countries.'

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Because of this, health groups suggest an increase in the pay of government doctors. A minimum of
50,000 per month is recommended, though still far from the salaries abroad. The nearest
approximation in the Salary Standardization Law 3 is Salary Grade 24 equivalent to P49,750/month.

Increasing the salaries of doctors and the provision of benefits especially hazard pay are important
steps that may help mitigate the outmigration of doctors and ensure quality healthcare for our
people.

In this light, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Approve,

Pavan Muna Partyclist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5542

HOUSE BILL No. __“‘

Introduced by Reps. NERI J. COLMENARES and CARLOS

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY OF DOCTORS TO P50,000 AND
PROVIDING FOR HAZARD PAY FOR DOCTORS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the Flouse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1, Short Title. ‘This Act shall be known as “The Doctors’ Salary Upgrading and
Benefits Act of 2015.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the Government's concern and responsibility to provide
adequate remuneration and benefits for doctors to attract and retain its rightful share of talents with
the end in view of fulfilling the state policy of providing essential health services to all Filipinos.

SECTION 3. Raising of the Minimum Salary. The minimum monthly salary grade of doctors
shall be upgtaded to P50,000. Salaries of those occupying higher positions shall be adjusted
accordingly.

SECTION 4. Hazard Pay for Doctors, Doctors in government hospitals and local health facilities
shall be provided hazard pay equivalent to that received by other hospital workers under Salary
Grade 19 of the Salary Standardization Law. Doctors in private hospitals and health facilities shall
receive hazard pay equivalent to that of government doctors, or based on the rate agreed upon by
the management and the health workers’ union in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, whichever is
higher.

SECTION 5. Coverage. ‘This Act shall cover all doctors in public and private health facilities and
institutions, whether nationally or locally-funded.

SECTION 6. Sanctions. A fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000,000)
and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than two (2) years shall be imposed
upon violation of any of the provisions hereof.

Provided that, for violations committed by government agencies, juridical persons, including local
government units or any other entity, the head of the agency and Board of Directors or executive
officials of the agency shall assume full responsibility.


SECTION 7. Refund and Compensation. Any doctor found to have been aa victim of violation
of any section of this Act shall be entitled to backwages and full payment of unpaid benefits. In
addition, he/she shall be entitled to refund of interest and attorney's fees to be paid by the agency if
he/she is forced to litigate.

SECTION 8. Rules and Regulations. The Department of Health and the Department of Budget
and Management shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 9. 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 in public health facilities shall be sourced from the General Apptopriations Act
Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund and other possible sources that may be determined by the
Office of the President. ‘The subsequent funds needed for national public health institutions shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act in the allotment for the particular facility o institution,
For devolved health agencies, funding shall be included in the annual budget allotment for the
provincial and district hospitals and local health units,

For private health facilities, funding shall be included in the corporate budget.
SECTION 10. Constitutionality. Should any provision of this Act be declated invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected
thereby.

SECTION 11. 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 12, Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation,

Approve,