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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS RE
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HOUSE BILL NO. 2843

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

An estimated 22,000 health professionals leave the Philippines annually to work
abroad (WHO, 2013). The country is the world’s largest exporter of nurses and the
second largest exporter of doctors. It is, however, ironic that of the 70% of Filipinos
living in rural areas, only 10% benefit from the services of medical professionals.

According to the International Organization for Migration (2013), “the Philippines
faces well in terms of the education and health components of human development
index (HDI) — although further improvements would be welcome — but is less successful
in the provision of decent income, a dimension that is inextricably linked to
employment.”

To address this concern, this bill proposes to raise the minimum salary grade level of
government doctors to encourage health professionals to work in public hospitals
instead of seeking employment overseas. This measure also aims to address the “brain
drain” phenomenon that has been a perennial problem in the recent decades.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

TEDDY SRAWNER BAGUILAT
flugao Lone District


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2843

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

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

Be 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 “Govemment Doctors’
Salary Upgrading Act of 2016.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- \t is the Government's concern and responsibility to
provide adequate remuneration for public hospital 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.

SEC. 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 levels of those
occupying higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly.

SEC. 4. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all resident doctors in public hospitals,
whether nationally or locally funded.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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

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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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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,