EPRES
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Republic of the Philippines oy
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES iS RECEIVED a
Quezon City 13 AUG 105
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__3705

Introduced by Representative Wilton “Tonton” T. Kho

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Professionals in the Philippines are generally governed by their respective
Philippine Regulatory Boards (PRBs). The PRBs govern their respective professions’
practice and ethical standards and accredit the professional organization representing
the professionals. There are at least forty-six (46) PRBs in the fields of health, business,
education, social sciences, engineering and technology.

To become one, these professionals must hurdle college and even acquire
higher education and must pass the applicable board exam. This naturally entails hard
work and resources. Thus, the professionals exhibit technical knowledge in their
respective fields. To remain knowledgeable of the developments in the respective
professions, they are required to undergo continuing education. Moreover, they are
expected to exercise a higher degree of diligence in the exercise of their profession
because any mistake or negligence can cause them to lose their professional license.

Salaries for employees in the private sector are governed by the minimum wage
law. Notably, there is no distinction in the treatment of and benefits received by a
regular employee and those who are members of the various Philippine Regulatory
Boards (PRBs) or its equivalent.

‘Asa result, our young professionals are not given the compensation that they
deserve, which in turn, usually results to migration to other counties and low morale.
There is a need to ensure that our talented Filipinos remain in the Philippines and for
them to remain motivated as this will lead to innovation and generation of wealth.

This bill seeks to increase the minimum wage of Filipino professionals by thirty
percent (30%) of the prevailing minimum wage.

In view of this, passage of this bill is



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__3709

Introduced by Representative Wilton “Tonton” T. Kho

AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE OF FILIPINO
PROFESSIONALS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR BY THIRTY PERCENT (30%) OF
THE PREVAILING MINIMUM WAGE

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Wage Hike for
Professionals Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to
guarantee the retention of competent professionals by ensuring that the renumeration
due to them are commensurate to their qualifications.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all employees in the private sector
who are Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) Registered and who has passed the
applicable Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) licensure exam or its equivalent
and is hired to a relevant position requiring the employee holder thereof to be a
licensed professional to function as such.

SEC. 4. Minimum Salary. - The Minimum Salary of PRB member Filipino
employee in the private sector shall be thirty percent (30%) higher than the prevailing
minimum wage. Nothing in this provision shall prevent, diminish or otherwise revoke
more favorable existing company policy.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including
rules and regulation inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified
accordingly.

SEC.6. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or valid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.


SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect Fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.