THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many depressed and critical areas in the country today have no 
rural health physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives, x-ray technicians, 
medical technologists, nutritionists and aides. Study shows that such 
situation is common in the provinces of Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao, 
Basilan, Maguindanao, Northern and Western Samar, and Nueva Ecija. 
The obvious reason for this is the lack of attractive monetary rewards to 
these professionals which in turn, leads to the rising number of these 
professional going to foreign countries io work as such. 
In order to attract applicants for the existing vacant positions of 
rural health physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives, x-ray technicians, 
medical technologists, nutritionists and aides in the abovementioned 
areas, the government should provide an attractive incentive system such 
as “hardship allowance” equivalent to as much as 50% to 100% of the 
basic salary. 
The Constitution underscores the urgent need to assist this kind of 
people when it declares that “there shall be priority for the needs of the 
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children” (Sec. 11, 
Article XIII). It is in this spirit that this government has to assist thousands 
of sick people, especially children, who cannot be examined, treated or 
assisted by government health officers because they live in far-flung 
areas. 
Accordingly, the 
urgent passage of the 
bill is hereby 
recommended. 
MANNYVIL 
R 1 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHlLlPPlNIES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
s. NO. 
2370 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF 
HEALTH TO PAY HARDSHIP ALLOWANCES TO 
PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, 'NURSES, MIDWIVES, 
NUTRITIONISTS AND AIDES WHO ARE 
PRESENTLY EMPLOYED AND WHO ARE WILLING 
TO TAKE ASSIGNMENTS IN MUNICIPALITIES 
WHERE THE POSITIONS ABOVE MENTIONED HAVE 
BEEN VACANT FOR THREE YEARS OR MORE. 
X-RAY TECHNICIANS, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS, 
I) 
Be,enacted 
by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Section I. The Secretary of Health is hereby authorized to pay 
hardship allowance to physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives, x-ray 
technicians, medicine technologists, nutritionists and aides presently 
employed or who may be willing to accept assignments in any 
municipality where the positions abovementioned have been vacant for 
three (3) years or more. 
Section 2. The hardship allowance herein provided which shall be 
in addition to the existing salary and other emoluments shall be as 
follows: 
Philippines in congress assembled: 
a. For such position which has been vacant for three years 
but less than ten yeas, an amount equivalent to fifty per centum of 
the basic salary; 
b. For such position which has been vacant for ten 
years or more and situated more than one hundred 
kilometers from the provincial capital, an amount equivalent 
to sixty to one hundred per centum of the basic salary, 
depending on the distance, peace and order conditions, 
length of time the position has been vacant and the size of 
population. 
Section 3. Immediately upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
Secretary of Health shall submit to the Department of Budget and 
Management the plantila of positions for physicians, dentists, 
nurses, midwives, x-ray 
technicians, medical technologists, 
nutritionists and aides which have not been filled up for the last three 
years or more, including the estimated hardship allowances for each 


vacant position which the Secretary may grant taking into 
consideration the guidelines provided in Section 2 hereof. 
Section 4. 
The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the 
National Treasury not othetwise appropriated: provided, That the 
corresponding amount needed to implement this Act in subsequent 
years shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act for 
the Department of Health. 
Section 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,