EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
•VOIII,-.' C( <I:C
SENATE
S. B. No. 2359
71 AUG 23 P2 78
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
FULLY RECOGNIZING THE SERVICES OF SOCIAL WORKERS BY ENSURING 
COMPETITIVE REMUNERATION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The provisions enshrined under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 
the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are clear when 
they embrace the essence of social security and the legal obligation of the State- 
parties in the recognition and full realization of the right to such, including enjoyment 
of adequate standard of living and continuous improvement of living conditions. The 
Covenant further upholds the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favorable 
conditions of work, whereby State-parties shall guarantee fair wages and equal 
remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind.
It is unequivocal that the attainability of the aforementioned legal obligations 
of the State rests primarily on the dedicated efforts of the workers rendering 
biopsychosociai services and interventions to the public.
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), during its July 2014 
general Meeting and the International Association of Schools of Social Work General 
Assembly, approved the global definition of social work as a practice-based profession 
and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social 
cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Indeed, with the presence


of social workers, competent social protection is provided to all people who have 
access thereto making social protection transformative, leading to positive economic 
outcomes, to more sustainable, stabilized, resilient and harmonious societies, which 
vision was recognized by the IFSW during the October 3,2016IFSW General Meeting,
In the Philippine setting, registered social workers are one of the 
unacknowledged groups of workers despite the great weight of their contribution and 
responsibility for the wellbeing of all Filipinos. The social workers play vital roles in the 
case management of individuals and in the rehabilitation and reintegration of families 
and communities who have been vulnerable after being victims of crimes, disasters, 
calamities, armed conflicts or similar incidents.
With the onslaught of our kababayans needing material assistance and a more 
holistic biopsychosocial intervention in the wake of the continuous spread of the 
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), the social workers has been extending their 
helping hands, providing necessary interventions round the clock but only receiving a 
contemptible treatment with a remuneration incommensurate with their workload and 
absence of benefits appropriate to their profession.
It is now an opportune time to fully recognize the champions of social change 
- those who significantly provide aid and healing within the communities, taking high- 
value in improving the living conditions of our kababayans.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 2359
M,' 
■ d( ,i.c
71 AUG 23 P2 78
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG"—A...
T. GO u
AN ACT
FULLY RECOGNIZING THE SERVICES OF SOCIAL WORKERS BY ENSURING 
COMPETITIVE REMUNERATION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Competitive
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Remuneration and Compensation Packages for Social Workers Act of 2021."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
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afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, and promote full employment and
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equality of employment opportunities for all. They shall be entitled to security of
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tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. Thus, the State shall endeavor
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to pay just and equitable compensation to all government personnel, including the
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social workers, in accordance with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value,
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in order to attract, retain and motivate a corps of competent civil servants.
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SEC. 3. Equality of rights amongst social workers in the government. - Section
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17 of Republic Act No. 9443, or the "Magna Carta of Public Social Workers" provides
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for the Rights of a Public Social Worker. Thus, in recognition of the invaluable efforts
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of the registered social workers in the government service, without distinction as to
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the nature of one's engagement, the rights afforded to Public Social Workers, in the


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law and its implementing rules and regulations, shall be recognized and applied equally 
to all registered social workers in the government, such as but not limited to:
a. Protection from discrimination by reason of sex, sexual orientation, age, 
political or religious beliefs, civil status, physical characteristics/disability, or 
ethnicity;
b. Protection from any form of interference, intimidation, harassment, or 
punishment, to include, but not limited to, arbitrary reassignment or 
termination of service, in the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities;
c. Protection of the right to join, organize, or assist organizations or unions for 
lawful purposes;
d. Protection from any act that will prevent his/her from applying professional 
interventions that the client's situation may require; and
e. Opportunities for continuing professional growth and development.
SEC. 4. Increase in the Minimum Saiary Grade Levei. - The minimum base pay 
of Social Welfare Officer I in government institutions shall not be lower than Salary 
Grade 13 with equivalent monthly salary as prescribed in the existing and applicable 
Modified Salary Schedule for Civilian Employees: Provided, That for social workers 
working in local government units (LGUs), adjustments of their salaries shall be in 
accordance with applicable laws.
SEC. 5. Compensation Packages forSociai Workers. -The Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with other concerned government 
agencies, association of social workers, and the accredited professional organization 
shall establish an incentive and benefit system for the social workers; Provided, That 
the following compensation package shall be made available regardless of the nature 
of engagement of the registered social worker, to wit:
a. Hazard Pay;
b. Compensation for Workplace Injuries;
c. Insurance; and


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d. Other proper and just incentives, such as schoiarship grants, training, and other 
non-cash benefits.
Furthermore, the benefits provided under Repubiic Act No. 9433, or the "Magna 
Carta for Pubiic Social Workers" may be extended to registered social workers under 
a cost of service status, the corresponding conditions, amount, and rate of which shall 
be subject to the determination by the DSWD, in coordination with other agencies or 
entities as stated in this section.
SEC. 6. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all social workers with a Social 
Welfare Officer item working in the government, including those engaged by the local 
government unit. This Act shall cover all social workers whether regular, contractual 
or casual, or cost of service personnel now existing or hereafter created.
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The funding sources for the amounts necessary to 
implement this Act shall be as follows:
a. For national government entities, the amount necessary for the Immediate 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act;
b. For LGUs, the amounts shall be charged against their respective local 
government funds in accordance with the pertinent provisions of this Act and 
Republic Act No. 7160.
SEC. 8. Authority of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). - The 
DBM is authorized to adjust the salary grades of social worker positions in government 
as reflected in the occupational group Social Welfare Development under the Index of 
Occupational Services, Occupational Groups, Classes and Salary Grades, pursuant to 
DBM Budget Circular 2018-4.
SEC. 9. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The DBM, DSWD and other 
relevant agencies, shall, within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act, prepare 
and issue the necessary guidelines to implement the provisions of this Act.


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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, 
issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in one newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,