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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 520

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide an across-the-board allowance for all physicians and nurses
in rural health units.

Rural health units are the backbone of healthcare in far-flung communities, bringing
essential services to areas that often lack access to hospitals or clinics. While the need in these
areas is great, the distribution of healthcare professionals remains uneven—most choose to
work in cities where resources and facilities are more readily available, leaving rural health
units overstretched and underserved.

This bill aims to change that by providing an additional allowance to physicians and
nurses as an incentive to serve in rural health units. This allowance is a cost-effective way to
bring key personnel to rural communities and to keep their residents healthy

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JAIME, INEDI
Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._540

Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi

AN ACT
GRANTING AN ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE TO DOCTORS AND NURSES IN
RURAL AREAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 referred to as the "Rural Health Worker
Allowance Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~The State shall protect and promote the right to health
of people and instill health consciousness among them by giving each individual unimpaired
access to health and information services. Towards this end, incentives and benefits shall be
provided to rural health workers to recruit and retain these personnel and promote health and
health consciousness in rural areas.

SEC. 3. Rural Health Worker Allowance. ~ All licensed physicians and registered
nurses working in rural health units shall be provided with a Rural Health Worker Allowance
(RHWA) that shall, within three years from the implementation of this Act, amount to thirty
thousand pesos (P30,000) per month for physicians and twenty thousand pesos (P20.000) per
month for nurses.

SEC. 4. Coverage. — All physicians and nurses employed in rural health units operated
by Government or its political subdivisions with original charters and shall include medical,
allied health professional, administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their
employment status: Provided, That the allowance shall be subject to prevailing laws, rules, and
regulations concerning taxation: Provided, further, That the allowance shall not be included in
the computation of contributions and pensions as provided for under relevant laws: Provided,
furthermore, That the allowance shall apply only to 12 months per year: Provided, finally, That
rural health workers employed by local government units (LGUs) may have their allowance
pro-rated according to the income classification of the LGU as provided for in relevant laws.



SEC. 5. Schedule of Implementation. ~ The allowance shall be implemented starting
January | of the year after the enactment of this Act, and every January 1 thereafter, and given
in three tranches under the following schedule:

Year 1 - P15,000.00 for physicians and P10,000.00 for nurses
Year 2 - P9,000.00 for physicians and P6,000.00 for nurses
Year 3 - P6,000.00 for physicians and P4,000.00 for nurses

SEC. 6. Review and Adjustment of the RHWA. - The RHWA shall be reviewed by the
Department of Health (DOH), with inputs from relevant government agencies, and adjusted
alongside the implementation of a new Salary Standardization Act to account for the purchasing
power of the peso.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), in consultation with the DOH, shall promulgate the rules and regulations
for the proper implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be deemed
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected there shall remain in force and
effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All Acts, Presidential Decrees, Executive Orders and
Administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations and other such issuances or parts thereof which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity: - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,