TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No.
.<:■ .-v-'-'tOffirr of i’l!" f ■
25 JUL21 PI 09
RlXEiVED 2 Vi
Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito
AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7305 OR THE 
MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
During the darkest of times, the best in humanity has come out and light the 
way through uncertainty. The pandemic did not give birth to the heroism of our health 
workers but rather highlighted their hard work, dedication to service and love for 
country—often overlooked and unappreciated. They emerged as one of the frontliners 
who, without fear, battled COVID-19 head on so that we could survive.
The health crisis we had to endure as a nation took greater toll on the physical 
and emotional wellbeing of our health workers who were constantly separated from 
their families. They took care of patients, answering the call of duty, considering the 
welfare of others instead of their own. Some health workers fell ill themselves and 
paid the price of service with their own lives.
It is unfortunate that the sacrifices of our health workers are not inadequately 
compensated. Acknowledgements and recognitions should not be limited to kind 
words during eulogies. Though no amount of monetary consideration can equal the 
service of our health workers, we seek to upgrade their salaries to a more dignified 
level not only as a form of gratitude but most importantly, giving them justice.


This bill filed during the Nineteenth Congress remained pending in the 
committee and we took upon the task to refile this measure. It is incumbent to take 
a chance once again in advocating for what we believe is a noble undertaking of 
furthering for the interests of health workers.
Several amendments to the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers are introduced 
to promote the rights and properly compensate the services of health workers through 
better pay and benefits. There is an increase in the entry level salary of medical 
officers, nurse, dentist, midwife, medical technologist, physical therapist, occupational 
therapist, respiratory therapist, speech therapist, optometrist, pharmacist, and 
radiologic technologist.
Additional compensation and benefits will be given to all public health workers 
such as supplemental Special Risk Allowance (SRA), across the board hazard pay, rice 
subsidy allowance, increase in longevity pay, laundry and clothing allowance, and 
compensation for injuries.
The refiling of this measure is our renewed commitment to our health workers; 
an expression of gratitude and symbol of solidarity. Let this serve as message to our 
heroes that they are not forgotten by the government.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JV EJERCITO


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. No. 738
■ 
oT■ >
25 JUL21 PI 39
Ri;cfii.L)h
Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito
AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7305 OR THE 
MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. me. - This Act shall be known as the "Health Workers Salary 
Upgrading Act of 2022".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. —It is the declared policy of the State to guarantee 
the entry and retention of qualified and competent health workers in the public health 
care system by ensuring the commensurate remuneration for their work loads and the 
hazards of their respective professions. This policy is in furtherance of the 
Constitutional mandate to promote the most adequate health care for the people by 
addressing the need for essential health workers and professionals in all public health 
care facilities. This Act intends to improve the socio-economic conditions of public 
health workers and to bolster the public health sector in the government service.
Sec. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 3. [Bcfinition] COVERAGE. - [for purpoGC[>-of this Act,
!1heolth workers" shall mean all persons who arc engaged in 
health and health related work, ond all persons employed in all 
hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health 
wits, barangay health stations, clinics and other health related


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cstobliGhmcntG owned ond operated by the Government or its 
peliticol GubdiviGionG with original chorterG ond Gholl include
modical, ollicd health profcGGionol, QdminiGtrotivc ond Gupport
porGonncI employed rcgardloGG of their employment GtatuG."]"
THIS ACT SHALL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PUBLIC 
HEALTH WORKERS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, 
"HEALTH WORKERS" REFER TO PERSONS WHO ARE 
ENGAGED IN HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED WORK IN A 
HEALTH FACILITY OR OTHER RELATED ESTABLISHMENT, 
OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR ITS 
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. IT SHALL INCLUDE 
MEDICAL, ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, 
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL 
INCLUDING MAINTENANCE, JANITORIAL AND SECURITY 
PERSONNEL OF SUCH HEALTH FACILITY OR RELATED 
ESTABLISHMENT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT 
STATUS."
Sec. 4. Section 19 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 19. Salaries. - [In the determination of the salor/ gcoIc of 
ptiblic health workers, the provisions of Republic Act No. 6758 
shall govern, except that the benchmark for Rural Health
PhyGicians shall bo upgraded to Grade 2^.] THE DEPARTMENT 
OF HEALTH, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT 
OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, IS HEREBY MANDATED 
TO ESTABLISH A NEW SALARY SCALE FOR PUBLIC 
HEALTH WORKERS: PROVIDED, THAT THE BENCHMARK 
FOR MEDICAL OFFICER 1 SHALL BE SALARY GRADE 17, 
NURSE 1 SHALL BE SALARY GRADE 16, MIDWIFE 1 SHALL 
BE SALARY GRADE 10, DENTIST 1 SHALL BE SALARY 
GRADE 15, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 1 SHALL BE SALARY 
GRADE 12, PHARMACIST 1 SHALL BE SALARY GRADE 12,


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PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1 SHALL BE SALARY GRADE 12, 
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST 1 SHALL BE SALARY 
GRADE 12, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST 1 SHALL BE 
SALARY GRADE 12, RESPIRATORY THERAPIST 1 SHALL 
BE SALARY GRADE 11, SPEECH THERAPIST 1 SHALL BE 
SALARY GRADE 11 AND OPTOMETRIST 1 SHALL BE 
SALARY GRADE 13.
XXX."
Sec. 5. Section 20 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 20. Additional Compensation. - Notwithstanding Section 12 
of Republic Act No. 6758 AND THE PROVISIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11466, public HEALTH workers shall 
receive the following ADDITIONAL allowances: hazard 
allowance, SPECIAL RISK ALLOWANCE, subsistence 
allowance, RICE SUBSIDY ALLOWANCE, longevity pay, 
laundry AND CLOTHING allowance, and remote assignment 
allowance"
Sec. 6. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 21. HazardAiiowance. - [Public health workers in hospitals, 
sanitaria, rural—health—units,—main—health—centers,—health
infirmaries, barangay health stations, clinics and other health
related establishments located in difficult areas, strife torn or
embattled areos, distressed or isolated stations, prison camps, 
mcr|tal hospitals,—radiation exposed—clinics,—laboratories—or
disease infested areas or in areas declared under state of calamity
or emergency for the durotion thereof-which expose them to
great donger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activity'/eruption,
occupational risk or perils to life as determined by the Secretary 
of-Health, shall be compensated hazard allowances equivalent to 
at least twenty five percent (25%) of the monthly bosic salary of


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health workers receiving salory grade 10 and below, ond five
percent (5%) for health workers with galary grade 20 and above.]
ALL PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS PERFORMING HEALTH 
AND HEALTH-RELATED WORK REGARDLESS OF WORK 
LOCATION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HAZARD ALLOWANCE 
AMOUNTING TO FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00)
PER MONTH: PROVIDED, THAT THIS RATE SHALL BE 
REVIEWED PERIODICALLY AND INCREASED 
ACCORDINGLY BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH IN 
CONSULTATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES."
Sec. 7. A new Section 21-A shall be inserted after Section 21 of Republic Act 
No. 7305 which shall read as follows:
"SEC. 21-A. SPECIAL RISK ALLOWANCE. - PUBLIC 
HEALTH WORKERS, WHERE THE PERFORMANCE OF 
THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND LOCATION 
OF WORK EXPOSE THEM TO GREAT DANGER, 
OCCUPATIONAL RISKS, PERIL TO LIFE, AND PHYSICAL 
HARDSHIPS, IN AREAS AND CIRCUMSTANCES AS 
DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, SHALL BE 
ENTITLED TO SPECIAL RISK ALLOWANCE OF AT LEAST 
FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) OF THE MONTHLY BASIC 
SALARY."
Sec. 8. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 22. Subsistence Allowance, - Public health workers who are 
required to render service within OR NEAR the premises of [hospitals, 
sanitaria, health infirmorics, main health centers, rural heolth units ond 
barangoy—health—stations,—or clinics,—and—ether—health related
establishments] HEALTH FACILITIES AND OTHER RELATED 
ESTABLISHMENTS in order to make their services available at any 
and all times, shall be entitled to full subsistence allowance of three (3) 
meals which may be computed in accordance with prevailing


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circumstances as determined by the Secretary of Health in consultation 
with the Management-Health Worker's Consultative Councils, as 
established under Section 33 of this Act: PROVIDED, THAT 
SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE SHALL BE COMPUTED NOT LOWER 
THAN SEVENTY FIVE PESOS (Php75.00) PER MEAL: Provided, 
FURTHER, That representation and travel allowance shall be given to 
rural health physicians as enjoyed by municipal agriculturists, municipal 
planning and development officers and budget officers."
Sec. 9. A new Section 22-A shall be inserted after Section 22 of Republic Act 
No. 7305 which shall read as follows:
"SEC. 22-A. RICE SUBSIDY ALLOWANCE. - ALL PUBLIC 
HEALTH WORKERS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RICE 
SUBSIDY ALLOWANCE IN THE FORM OF CASH 
AMOUNTING TO ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY 
PESOS (Pl,250.00).
Sec. 10. Section 23 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Section 23. Longevity Pay. - A monthly longevity pay equivalent 
to five percent (5%) of the monthly basic pay shall be paid to a 
health worker for every five (5) years of continuous, efficient and 
meritorious services rendered as certified by the chief of office 
concerned, commencing with the service after the approval of 
this Act.: PROVIDED, THAT FOR EVERY TEN (10) YEARS OF 
SERVICE, THEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO SPECIAL 
LONGEVITY PAY AMOUNTING TO ONE (1) MONTH OF 
BASIC SALARY."
Sec. 11. Section 24 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Section 24. Laundry AND CLOTHING Allowance. - All public 
health workers who are required to wear uniforms regularly shall 
be entitled to laundry AND CLOTHING allowance equivalent to 
[Gnc hundred twenty five pesos (P125.00)] FIVE HUNDRED 
PESOS (P500.00) per month: provided, that this rate shall be


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reviewed periodically and increased accordingly by the Secretary 
of Health in consultation with the appropriate government 
agencies concerned taking into account existing laws and 
prevailing practices."
Sec. 12. Section 28 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
"Section 28. Compensation for Injuries. - Public health workers 
shall be protected against the consequences of employment 
injuries in accordance with existing law. Injuries incurred while 
doing overtime work shall be presumed work-connected.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY, 
PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS WHO MAY BE INJURED OR 
CONTRACT ANY DISEASE WHILE IN THE PERFORMANCE 
OF THEIR DUTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN AMOUNT 
OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00): 
PROVIDED, THAT THE AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION PESOS 
(PI,000,000.00) SHALL BE GIVEN TO PUBLIC HEALTH 
WORKERS WHO MAY DIE WHILE IN THE PERFORMANCE 
OF THEIR DUTY: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT 
ENTITLEMENT TO COMPENSATION UNDER THIS 
SECTION SHALL NOT PRECLUDE PUBLIC HEALTH 
WORKERS TO CLAIM ANY OTHER BENEFITS FOR THE 
SAME INJURY PROVIDED FOR BY OTHER LAWS."
Sec. 13. Free Continuing Professional Development - The Department of 
Health shall provide free Continuing Professional Development training for public 
health worker professionals who are required to undertake such program as a 
requirement for the renewal of their professional identification cards under the 
regulation of Professional Regulatory Commission as mandated by Republic Act No. 
10912 or the "Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016".
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health after 
consultation with appropriate agencies of the Government as well as professional and


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health workers' organizations or unions, shall formulate and prepare the revised 
implementing rules and regulation of the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers in 
accordance with this Act.
Sec. 15. Separability Clause. -If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 17. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,