Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Quoting some lines from the Hippocratic Oath, the oath providing for the
pledge of medical doctors to uphold specific ethical standards:
“...I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and
judgment. I will abstain from harming or wrongdoing any man by
it...Whenever I go into a house, I will go to help the sick and never
with the intention of doing harm or injury...If therefore, I observe this
oath and do not violate it, may I prosper both in my life and in my
profession, earning good repute among all men for all time. If I
transgress and foreswear this oath, may my lot be otherwise.”
The oath outlines the roles and responsibilities that doctors undertake in their
profession. Consequently, it is the role of the State to provide support to our
doctors to assist them in fulfilling their oaths and duties. In the current
pandemic, the shortcomings of our healthcare system was put into spotlight.
From the insufficiency of healthcare facilities to accommodate COVID-19
patients to the stories of inadequate compensation provided to healthcare
personnel, we are witnessing what has been the unfortunate situation of the
healthcare sector for so many years, yet we have not been able establish
measures to address them.
In 2021, the Department of Health said that the country is short of ninety-two
thousand (92,000) physicians because of the COVID-10 pandemic.1 Adding
insult to the injury, a good number of licensed physicians opts to work
overseas because of better employment opportunities. Salary plays a vital role
in this issue of shortage of licensed physicians.
1 Gonzales, C. (September 23, 2021). PH short of 92,000 physicians in view of pandemic – DOH exec. Inquirer.Net.
URL: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1491926/ph-short-of-92000-physicians-in-view-of-pandemic-doh-exec
September 23, 2022
2:17 pm
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This bill aims to address this problem. By institutionalizing higher and
competitive salaries, we actively address the “brain drain” issue of our doctors
leaving
the
country.
This
bill
aims
to
emphasize
the
dignified
role
of
government doctors through commensurate compensation and in this respect,
motivate more of them to fulfill their oath in a way that serves and uplifts the
healthcare situation of our fellow Filipinos.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is highly encouraged.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT UPGRADING THE BASIC SALARY OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL
DOCTORS FROM SALARY GRADE 21 TO SALARY GRADE 23
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 known as the “Government
Medical Doctors Salary Upgrade Act of 2022.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to guarantee the retention of competent doctors by ensuring that the
remuneration due to them is commensurate to their workload. The State shall
protect and promote the right of doctors to just compensation.
SECTION 3. Increase in the Salary Grade Level. — The minimum salary
grade of government medical doctors in the civil service shall be upgraded from
Salary Grade Twenty-One (21) to Salary Grade Twenty-Three (23).
SECTION 4. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all government medical
doctors.
SECTION 5. Budget Required. - The Department of Health shall come up
with a specific programmed budget needed to cover the expenses for the
upgrading in salary levels for all corresponding Government Medical Doctor
positions for a period of at least five (5) years to allow the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) to make the necessary budgetary adjustments
to facilitate the smooth implementation of this Act.
SECTION 6. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the immediate
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act for the year following the approval of this Act.
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the
Department of Health (DOH) and the Secretary of the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
to implement the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,