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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6847
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: HON. ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide additional benefits for our medical and
health service front liners in recognition of and gratitude for all their hard
work and sacrifices in providing needed medical and other health assistance
services to victims of Covid 19 and in helping stem the spread of the virus in
the country.

Our medical and health workers risk their lives and sacrifice their own
safety in the fight against COVID-19. Many of them have died but this has
not deterred other medical professionals and health workers from
continuing their mission to save others who have been infected with the
dreaded virus.

Currently, based on Department of Health (DOH) data, there are
nearly 2000 healthcare workers who have been infected with the Covid-19 in
the Philippines. Of those infected, 584 recovered and 34 died. It is estimated
that 17.9% of the total coronavirus cases in the country consist of local
health workers. Information from the DOH also indicate that, to date, 628
doctors, 753 nurses, 127 nursing assistants, 72 medical technologists, 39
radiologic technologists, and 158 non-medical are infected with COVID-19.


We cannot fully compensate medical professionals and health workers
sespecially those who died, for the risks they take and thesacrifices they
make for our people and our country, in fighting Covid 19. But, we can
provide them with a package of additional benefits to help them and their
families as a sincere gesture of our deep appreciation and gratitude to all of
them for carrying the biggest burden of saving lives in the fight against
Covid 19.

This billaims toprovide additional health benefits and insurance as
well as cash grants together with other measures that are intended to
liberate our medical professionals and health workers from worrying about
expenses and other financial needs that may arise should they be infected
with and hospitalized for Covid 19 or lose their lives in the performance of
their duties.

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

ibowe Hoos

ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO


wavausunn

10
nu
2
13
14
15
16
v7

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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6847
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: HON. ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR ENHANCED MEDICAL COVERAGE AND BENEFITS
TO COVID-19 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICE FRONTLINERS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Covid-19 Medical
and Health Workers Benefits Act of 2020”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the peopleas well as the rights
and welfare of workers

The State likewise recognizes the immense contribution and
invaluable sacrifices of all medical professionals and health workers,
including allied health service providers and non-medical hospital front
liners in the timely and effective delivery of necessary medical services
needed by the people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

SECTION 3. Coverage. -This Act shall apply to all medical
professionals and health workers includingallied health care workers and
non-medical personnel in both publicand private hospitalsand relevant
institutions providing services needed in the fight against Covid 19who


eyauaw

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
cu
18
19
20
2
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

contract or are infected by the virus and who die in the performance of their
duties, regardless of their employment status.

Medicalprofessionalsand health workers include those who are in the
medical profession such as Medical Doctors and Specialists, Nurses,
Radiological / Medical Technologists, Laboratory technicians, and other allied
health care personnel identified by the DOH. Non-medical personnel may
include clerks, assistants, IT personnel, janitors and other care workers that
are exposed to the hospital or relevant institutional environment.

SECTION 4. Enhanced Medical Coverage & Benefits-Medical
professionals and health workers including allied health care workers and
non-medical personnel covered in Section 3 of this Act shall be granted the
following benefits:

1. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall
provide One Hundred Percent (100%) medical coverage to those
who contract the virus (Covid-19) or who acquire any work-
related injury or disease during the Covid 19 pandemic.

2. The Social Security System (SSS) and the Government
Insurance System (GSIS), as the case may be,shall give the
amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) to those
who contract severe COVID-19 infection while in the
performance of their duties. In case of death, their family shall
receive One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) as death benefits
within one (1) month after the death of the medical or health
worker and allied services personnel concerned.

3. Those who work in government shall receive a Covid-19 Special
Risk Allowance of twenty five (25%) of their salary in addition to
the Hazard Pay mandated by the Magna Carta of Public Health
Workers or RA 7305.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be appropriated in the General Appropriations
Act.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, resolutions, orders
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.


Nowsune

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions
not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in
at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,