NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
g^euaic
*22 JUL-7 P4:07
SENATE 
S. No.
RHCEIVED BY:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR "JV" G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
PROVIDING HOUSING TO PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS NEAR GOVERNMENT 
HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH FACILITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic exhibited the multitude of problems in the health care 
system of our country. In the face of these problems, our health workers stand in 
bravery to save the Filipinos from the dreadful virus. It is a welcome development that 
the government is now allocating more for the Health Systems Straightening Program, 
which seeks to strengthen health workforce capacity. Likewise, the government has 
been giving more incentives to our health workers. Recently, former President Rodrigo 
Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11712 or the Public Health Emergency Benefits 
and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act. This enables the government to provide 
mandatory continuing benefits to all health workers In cases of public health 
emergencies.
This Congress will continue to honor our public health workers for their 
everyday sacrifice for all Filipinos in this time of pandemic. This proposed legislation 
seeks to provide housing to our health workers near government hospitals and 
facilities, in recognition of their Immeasurable service. This will help our health workers 
considering the difficulty of commuting to work this days, not only In Metro Manila but 
also in the provinces. By providing a place to stay near the hospitals and other facilities


where they are working could give them ample time to rest so that they can reserve 
most of their energy in attending to their patients.
Let us learn from our experience from this pandemic. Our health workers 
deserves the best care and protection that this government can give.
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this bills is earnestly sought.
■
JOSEPH VICTOR "3V" E3ERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 164
of tijf PfoQ>
‘22 JUL-7 P4 *07
RECEIVED Wf:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCTTO
AN ACT
PROVIDING HOUSING TO PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS NEAR GOVERNMENT 
HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH FACILITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be ft enacted by the Senate and the Flouse of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Health Workers
2 
Housing Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill health and
4 
consciousness among our people and to ensure that the general welfare of Filipino
5 
health workers is promoted through adequate compensation and benefits
6 
commensurate with the services they provide. Towards this end, the State shall
7 
provide decent and high quality housing at equitable terms and conditions for public
8 
health workers who have dedicated their lives to government service.
9 
Sec. 3. Coverage. -The provisions of this Act shall apply to all public health
10 
workers, engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons employed In all
11 
government hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries or health centers, regardless of
12 
their employment status.
13 
Sec. 4. Health Workers Housing. - The Department of Health (DOH), in
14 
coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
15 
(DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA), is hereby mandated to develop
16 
housing projects for public health workers, near government hospitals and other
17 
facilities, at affordable rental charges. Provided, That preference will be given to those
18 
health workers who are not residents of the area where the hospital or health facilities


1 
is located. Provided further, That if there is no available iand near the government
2 
hospitals, the housing projects may be located In the same city or municipality of the
3 
said hospital or facility
4 
Sec. 5. Private Sector Participation -The participation of private developers in
5 
the development of health workers housing will be considered as their compliance
6 
under Republic Act No. 10884 or the Balanced Housing Development Program
7 
Amendments.
8 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
9 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the
10 
budget of the DOH.
11 
Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty days from the
12 
effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DHSUD and NHA, shall
13 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective Implementation of
14 
this Act.
15 
Sec. 8. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act Is held invalid or
16 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.
17 
Sec. 9. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
18 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
19 
amended accordingly.
20 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its
21 
publication in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
22
Approved,
23