Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESE! ‘TIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
DATE 3.0 NN 2075
P77
TWENTIETH CONGRESS iv aim

First Reguiar Session

House Bill No,__939.

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Social work has made a profound impact on the lives of Filipinos since time immemorial duc to
the Filipino spirit of community. The essence of social work can be found even in our language or
expression, such as awa, damay, malasakit, kawanggawa, palusong, batares, and tulong.'
Evidently, for many years, social workers have had to partake not only in doing casework for
victims of abuse but also in providing social services and programs directly to those who are in
need including assistance, therapy, intervention, and counseling. Given their multifaceted role,
social workers are pillars of nation-building.

With the advent of Republic Act No. 9433, also known as the “Magna Carta for Public Social
Workers", the State recognizes the importance of promoting and improving the social and

country has been experiencing a shortage of social workers. In 2022, Secretary Erwin Tulfo, the
former Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (“DSWD”). informed the
Senate that there are vacancies in the position of social workers, however, no one is applying due
to low compensation. Currently, there are only 6,800 registered social workers across the
country.>

In view of the foregoing circumstances, this legislative measure seeks to increase the compensation
of public social workers to a salary grade of 13. Soctai workers have been the forerunners in

, Veneracion, C. (2000). A Hundred Years of Social Work in the Philippines: Roots and Heritage.

CSWCD Development, Jounra 2000. 1-27. _hitips://cswed.upd.edu.ph/wp-
loads/2022/10/CDJ-2000_01_Venera

2 Fomende2, D. (12 October 2022). DSWD chief's lack of awareness on social workor shortage

shocks Sen. Pia. INQUIRER.net. newsinfo i '9150/ds
awareness-on-sodial-worker-shortage-shocks-sen-pia

3 Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) _ hitps:/www.ifsw.org/member-

organisation/philippines/


delivering services to Filipinos during a crisis, most especialiy during the pandemic, and in

Protecting vulnerable children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. With the onset of

public social workers.

As public social workers have been vested with a myriad of responsibilities and play a critical role
in the delivery of services that uplift our fellow countrymen, it is only right that this measure be

In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.

——s ee

REP. EDUARDO ROA RAMA, JR.
2nd District, Cebu City


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5
House Bill No,__ 939

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9433, OR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR,
PUBLIC SOCIAL WORKERS TO INCREASE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Amended Magna Carta for
Public Social Workers Act of 2025.’

SECTION 2. Section 3 (a) of Republic Act No. 9433, otherwise known as the “Magna
Carta for Public Social Workers” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean
as follows:

(a) Social Work shall refer to a practice-based profession and academic
discipline that is primarily concerned with promoting social change and
development, and the empowerment of the people by helping individuals,
families, and communities develop, maintain, cope, and address the
demands of their environment through the use of social work methods and
interventions;

(b) xxx

(©) Public Social Worker (“PSWs”) shall refer to a registered social worker
employed in the government service whether they are designated with the
title of social welfare officer or not, whose position involves community
affairs and development, disaster risk and management, gender and


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development, jabor and employment, peace, early childhood and
development, volunteer service, youth development, and assistance to
veterans;

(d) Public Social Welfare and Development Worker shall refer to a worker
employed in a government social welfare and development agency other
than the public social worker as defined herein:

XXX

SECTION 3. Section 4 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 4. Coverage — This Act shall cover all registered social workers who are
currently employed, whether on a full-time or part-time basis and regardless of position
and tithes, and it, casual, or contractual positions, in tt
Government, including national government agencies, government-owned and controlled
corporations, state universities and colleges, and in local government units (“LGUs”). It
shall exclude those who are on a contract of service or job order, who are empioyed in
private social welfare agencies, who are not bound by an employer-employee relationship

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SECTION 4. Section 12 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 12. Compensation — The starting salary of every public social worker shall

be Grade 12

2 at Sal

by existing

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and applicable salary schedule for civilian employees, provided that nothing in this Act
shall be construed to eliminate or diminish the benefit enjoyed by public social workers at
the time of the effectivity of this Act, provided finaily that ‘or social workers in local
government units, adjustments of their salaries shall be following applicable laws. In case

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through the Social Work Management and Consultative Council.

SECTION 5. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended w read as foilows:

SEC, 15. Other Benefits —

laws and executive orders, the public social workers shall receive the following:

Hazard Aliowance — x x x provided thai those who are on authorized
leave of absence with or without pay, and those who are attending seminars,



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Subsistence Allowance — Public Sociai Workers who render services in
communities, institutions, hospitals, and other locations and are required to make

each day of actual or full-time service. This does not cover PSWs who are not
required to make their services available at all times, who are on leave of absence,
with or without pay; while on official travel, and entitied to travel expenses under
E.O. No. 298 series of 2004 as amended; and who are attending training, seminars,

Transportation or Travel Allowance shall be given daily to PSWs assigned
vutside of their regular work stations under E.O. No. 298 series of 2004 as
amended, in lieu of subsistence allowance, and those who are on fieldwork.

XXX
XXX

XXX

insufficiency or lack of funds, the benefits may be granted at lower rates which will be
applied proportionately to all public social workers. In the case of LGUs, the grant of these
benefits shall be subject to other relevant laws and regulations.

deemed unconstitutional and invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected
and shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules,

bos fthis Act ar ded

accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,