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Republic of the Philippines © REC EIVED i.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES|/S ATE: WAY_07 2

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 6704

Introduced by
ANAKALUSUGAN REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A perusal of past Congresses suggests that there has not been a dearth of initiatives to
improve the lives of Medical Practitioners. The policy focus then was to prevent brain drain
and/or to improve our doctor-to-patient ratio. While these considerations are still paramount
and should be addressed immediately, the recent COVID-19 crisis highlighted the heroism
and extreme sacrifice of our Medical Practitioners, especially those working for our under-
staffed and ill-equipped government hospitals. Depressing statistics and analyses regarding
our healthcare system are now easily understood because it now has a vivid image, multiplied
a thousand times by each painful death of a doctor. The National Government and even
private organizations are now galvanized into action, supplying our hospitals with much
needed gear, hoping that these would protect our precious few. This is the silver lining behind
this pandemic tragedy. Long told through the cold fagade of numbers, the plight of our
medical practitioners is now given the face of humanity. Traditional and social media abound
now with news on the tremendous outpouring of support, love and gratitude for our medical
practitioners. It is time for us to return the favour to our doctors.

With this bill, we put value where our hearts are.

MICHAEU“MIKE” T. DEFENSOR



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No, 6704

Introduced by
ANAKALUSUGAN PARTY-LIST
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR

AN ACT INCREASING AND STANDARDIZING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE
OF ALL GOVERNMENT MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS

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

Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Medical Practitioner’s Act
of 2020”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is shall be the policy of the State to give true value
to its medical practitioners by giving them proper remuneration commensurate to their skills,

dedication and sacrifice for the nation

Sec. 3. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all Medical practitioners in government
hospitals, whether working for the National Government through the Department of Health,

or Local Government Units.

Sec. 4. Definition — A Medical practitioner shall refer to any Doctor of Medicine, duly
licensed to practice in the Philippines, and employed in any government hospital.


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Sec. 5. Increase and Standardization of Minimum Salary Grade of Medical
Practitioners ~ The entry level Salary Grade pay of any Medical Practitioner employed in
any government hospital, whether for the National Government or any of its
agencies/instrumentality or any Local Government unit, shall not be lower than Salary Grade
24. The Salary Grades of those occupying higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly.

Sec. 6. Implementing Clause ~ The Department of Health (DOH), Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of Interior and Local Government shall
issue the implementing guidelines for this Act within ninety (90) days from its approval.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and other
presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any section or provisions of this Act
is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected

thereby.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act take effect fifteen days (15) after its publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved