Republic of the Philippines
HousE oF REPRESHNTATlvns
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HouseBi||No.     9325
Introduced by Representative Eduardo Roa Rama, Jr.
2nd District, Cebu City
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Social work has made a profound impact on the lives of Filipinos since time immemorial due to
the Filipino spirit of community. The essence of social work can be found even in our language
or  explesstlon,  s"ch a;s  awa,  damay,  malasckit,  kawanggowa,  palusong,  batares, arid 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 "Magma Carta for Public Social
Workers",  the  State  recognizes  the  importance  of promoting  and  improving  the  social  and
economic  well-being  of social  workers.    Despite  the  passage  of the  aforementioned  law,  the
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.2  Currently,  there are only 6,800 registered  social workers across the
country.3
In   view   of  the   foregoing   circumstances,   this   legislative   measure   seeks  to   increase   the
compensation  of public  social  workers to a salary grade of 13.  Social workers have been the
Veneracion,  C.  (2000).  A  Hundred Years of Social Work in the  Philippines:  Roots and  Heritage.
CSWCD                           Development                           Jounral ,                           2000.                           1 -2].
https://cswcd.upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CDJ-2000_01_Veneracion.pdf.
Femandez,  D.  (12  October 2022).  DSWD  chiefs  lack  of awareness  on  social worker shortage
shocks                                              Sen.                                              Pia.                                              INQUIRER.net.
httDs://newsinfo.inauirer.nev1679150/dswd-chiefs-lack-of-awareness-on-social-worker-shorfaae-s
hocks-sen-oia
Philippine                Association                of                Social
httDs://www.ifsw.ora/member-orcianisation/DhiliDDines/
Workers,                I nc.                ( PASwl )


forerunners   in  delivering  services  to  Filipinos  during  a  crisis,  most  especially  during  the
pandemic,   and   in   protecting   vulnerable   children,   women,   the   elderly,   and   people   with
disabilities.   With the onset of inflation, it is just and appropriate to amend the Magna Carta and
increase the compensation 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  which  uplift  our  fellow  countrymen,  it  is  only right that this
measure be passed into law in order to provide them with what is due to them.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
RHP. EDUARD0 ROA RAMA, JR.
2nd District, Cebu City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRHSENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEHNTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
'HouseBillNo.     9325
Introduced by Representative Eduardo Roa Rama, Jr.
2nd District, Cebu City
AN ACT AMENDING REpuBLlc ACT No. 9433, oR Tlm MAGNA CARTA FOR
PUBLIC SOCIAL WORKERS T0 INCREASE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  Of  Representatives   Of the  Philippines   in  Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Sfeorf ri.#&- This Act shall be known as the "Amended Magma Carta for
Public Social Workers Act of 2023."
SECTION 2.  Section 3  (a) of Republic Act No. 9433,  otherwise known as the "Magma
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  prirrmrily  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) x x x
(c)  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
development,   labor   and    employment,    peace,    early    childhood   and
development,  volunteer  service,   youth  development,  and  assistance   to
veterans;


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
culTently employed,  whether on a full-time or part-time basis and regardless of position
and  titles,   and  holding  permanent,  casual,  or  contractual  positions,  in  the  National
Government, including national government agencies, government-owned and controlled
corporations,  state universities and colleges, and in local goverrment units ("LGUs"). It
shall  exclude those who  are  on a contract of service or job order, who are employed in
private social welfare agencies, who are not bound by an employer-employee relationship
with the government, and who are engaged in the private practice of profession.
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  at least Scz/any Grade J3 with an equivalent monthly salary as prescribed by existing
and applicable  salary  schedule  for civilian employees, p7iovided ffecz/ 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, provz.ded¢#cz//y that for social workers  in local
government units, adjustments of their salaries shall be following applicable laws. In case
of violations of this provision, the public social worker shall file a complaint to the CSC
or through the Social Work Management and Consultative Council.
SECTION 5. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC.  15. Other Benefits  -Aside from the benefits received required by existing
laws and executive orders, the public social workers shall receive the .following:
Hazard Allowance   -   x x xprovided ffo¢f those who are on authorized
leave  of absence  with  or  without  pay,  and those  who  are  attending  seminars,
training, or any similar activity are not entitled to receive a hazard allowance.
Subsistence Allowance   - Public  Social Workers who render services in
communities, institutions, hospitals, and other locations and are required to make
2


their services available at all times may be granted daily subsistence allowance for
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 entitled to travel expenses under
E.O.   No.   298  series  of  2004  as  amended;  and  who  are  attending  training,
seminars, workshops, and similar activities where meals are provided.
Transportation or Travel Allowance shall be given daily to PSWs assigned
outside  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.
The grant of these benefits shall be subject to the availability of funds. In case of
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.
SECTION 6. Sep¢robI./rty CJawse.- If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional and invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected
and shall remain in force and effect.
SECTION  7. jRcpc¢/I.Hg  CJ¢wse.  - All  laws,  executive  orders,  decrees,  instructions,
rules, and regulations, contrary to or inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are repealed or
amended accordingly.
SECTION  8.  Ejrecfl.tJtry.  -  This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,