TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL -3 P4 :28
SENATE 
S. No. 85
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
MANDATING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR OVERTIME WORK AND WORK 
RENDERED DURING REST DAYS AND SPECIAL HOLIDAYS OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
WORKERS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 16 AND 17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7305, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS/' 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. Article XIII, Section 12 further mandates the State to undertake appropriate health 
manpower development, responsive to the country's health needs and problems.
Filipino health workers form the backbone of our public health system. Their role 
is indispensable, especially in underserved areas, where communities often rely on them 
as their only source of medical care. Yet despite their critical contribution, many of our 
public health workers remain overworked and underpaid. One apparent issue is that 
health workers do not get paid properly or consistently when they work overtime or during 
rest days and holidays.
As of December 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 955,875 
health care workers in the Philippines, with 126,200 of them serving in public health 
institutions. On the other hand, 595,370 of the total health care workforce are classified 
under unspecified practice, which may indicate unemployment or employment in


unrelated fields. Furthermore, there are 348,133 migrant health workers, and this number 
continues to grow.
These data highlight the growing need to make the Philippine labor market for 
public health workers more sustainable and to create better career opportunities for them. 
With thousands of health workers leaving the country in search of better pay and working 
conditions abroad, we must take urgent action to motivate and retain those who continue 
to serve our feliow Filipinos.
Under the Republic Act No. 7305, or the "Magna Carta of Public Health Workers," 
the provisions aliow for additionai compensation for overtime work and work rendered 
during rest days and special holidays, in accordance with existing laws and prevailing 
practices. However, in practice, this has often resulted in the use of Compensatory Time- 
Off (CTO) instead of cash payment, as outlined in Civil Service Commission and 
Department of Budget and Management Joint Circuiar No. 02, s. 2015. While CTO is 
permitted by law, it is not a cash benefit and does not address the day-to-day financial 
needs of public health workers. Those who render duty on weekends, holidays, or beyond 
their regular hours, often during emergencies, deserve nothing iess than fair monetary 
compensation for their time and service.
By clarifying the law and disallowing CTO in piace of cash payment, we give health 
workers the proper recognition they deserve for their hard work. This amendment aims 
to promote and improve the social and economic well-being of health workers by ensuring 
just compensation. In this regard, the amendment is not oniy a matter of fairness in 
labor, it is a matter of national interest.
In view of the foregoing, the approvai of this bill is earnestly sought.
FY T. TULE


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JIJL -3 P4 :28
SENATE
s. No.____
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
MANDATING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR OVERTIME WORK AND WORK 
RENDERED DURING REST DAYS AND SPECIAL HOLIDAYS OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
WORKERS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 16 AND 17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7305, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS," 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna
2 
Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
3 
"SEC. 16. Overtime Work. - Where the exigencies of the service so require,
4 
any public heaith worker may be required to render service beyond the
5 
normal eight (8) hours a day. In such a case, the workers shall be paid an
6 
additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF CASH, [m
7 
accordoncG with existing laws and prevailing practices] COMPUTED IN
8 
ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE OVERTIME RATES."
9 
Sec. 2. Section 17 of Repubiic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta
10 
for Public Heaith Workers" is hereby amended as follows:
11 
"SEC. 17. Work During Rest Day and Special Holidays. —


1 
a. Where a public health worker is made to work on his/her scheduled rest
2 
day, he/she shall be paid an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN
3 
THE FORM OF CASH [in accordance with existing laws].
4 
b. Where a public health worker is made to work on any special holiday
5 
he/she shall be paid an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE
6 
FORM OF CASH[, in accordance with existing laws]. Where such holiday
7 
work falls on the worker's scheduled rest day, he/she shall be entitled to
8 
an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF CASH [7
9 
as may be provided by existing laws]."
10 
Sec. 3. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary for the implementation of this
11 
Act shail be charged against the current year available appropriations of the Department
12 
of Health (DOH). Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation
13 
shail be included in the annual general appropriations.
14 
Sec. 4. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The DOH and the Department of
15 
Budget and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
16 
implement the provisions of this Act.
17 
Sec. 5. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared invalid or
18 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain in
19 
full force and effect.
20 
Sec. 6. Repeaiing Ciause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules
21 
and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, amended, and/or modified
22 
accordingly.
23 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
24 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,