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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

6755

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Significant number of the confirmed 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
cases in the country are healthcare workers. Among the frontliners, they are the most
at risk to be infected by the disease as they deal with suspected, probable, and
confirmed patients throughout their recovery process. The World Health
Organization (WHO) also expressed concern over this high COVID-19 incidence
among the country’s medical frontliners.

Thus, with the risks associated with their occupation, healthcare workers must
be entitled with hazard pay. As the grant of it is left entirely to the discretion of the
employer, the hazard pay received by healthcare workers are not commensurate of
their efforts and sacrifices.

This bill seeks to recognize the hard work and the service rendered by the
public and private healthcare workers by mandating that they are given hazard pay
for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hazard pay shall be equivalent to at
least thirty percent (30%) of their basic salary.

This measure covers the medical practitioners, staff, and aide working in
healthcare institutions exposed to COVID-19. Also, workers from third-party service
contractors deployed in these institutions shall also be covered.

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

ERIC GO YAP


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
1+ Regular Session
6755

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP

AN ACT
GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HEALTHCARE
WORKERS DURING THE 2019 CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
PANDEMIC

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the COVID-19 Hazard Pay for Healthcare
Workers Act of 2020.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
safeguard healthcare workers against injury, sickness, death, or any hazards in their
work environment. This is with the end in view of fulfilling the State policy of
protecting the rights of workers and promoting their welfare.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all healthcare workers in the public
and private sector. This includes medical practitioners, staff, and aide in hospitals,
sanitaria, rural health units, main health centers, health infirmaries, barangay health
stations, clinics, laboratories, and other health-related establishments who are
exposed to the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

For the avoidance of doubt, workers of third-party service contractors, such as
security guards and janitors, who are deployed to any of the aforementioned
institutions shall also receive the benefit provided under this Act for the duration of
the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEC. 4. Hazard Pay. - Workers covered by this Act shall be compensated with
hazard allowances equivalent to at least thirty percent (30%) of their respective
monthly basic salary for the duration of COVID-19 pandemic.


SEC. 5. Non-Diminution of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to diminish existing benefits under present laws, company policies, and collective
bargaining agreements

SEC. 6. Under this Act, such increase of hazard pay or its equivalent shall not
be subject to tax consistent with the very purpose of this grant of incentives to all
public and private medical workers assigned exposed to the danger of COVID-19.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), in consultation with appropriate government agencies and
other relevant stakeholders, shall formulate the rules and regulations to effectively
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If for any reason or reasons, part of the provision
of this Act shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provi
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and
issuances, resolutions, ordinances or circulars inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette at least two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,