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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

House BiLL No. 7644

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Quoting some lines from the Hippocratic Oath, an oath stating the obligations
and proper conduct of doctors:

“..T will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and
judgment. I will abstain from harming or wrong doing any man by
it... Whenever Igo 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 1
transgress and foreswear this oath, may my lot be otherwise.”

It outlines the roles and responsibilities that doctors undertake in their
profession. It is the role of the state to provide assistance to our doctors for them
to fulfill their oath and duties, but we are far from this reality. In the current
pandemic, the spotlight has been focused on the shortcomings of our healthcare
delivery system. From the inability of a lot of healthcare facilities to accommodate
COVID-19 patients to the stories of uncompetitive compensation to various
healthcare personnel, we are witnessing what has been the subject of headlines
for so many years, yet we have not been able to do enough to help our doctors.

The Philippine Medical Association said there are 130,000 licensed physicians
in the country, but only 70,000 are active in the profession.! A good number
have actually turned to turned and work as nurses overseas. Furthermore, a lot
of Filipinos, especially those living in far-flung areas have never seen a doctor in
their whole life and are not accustomed to healthcare procedures, Salary is a
vital factor why many areas in the rural and underserved areas have no doctors
to serve their communities. Even if they receive relatively higher salaries

+ https://today.mims.com/doctor-shortage-in-the-philippines--an-analysis



Bomvauaunn

1

12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

35
36
37
38
39
40
a
a2
43

45
46

compared to those employed in the private sector, they handle more jobs, There
are a lot of instances where the shortage of government doctors has led to the
few of them serving more than what is necessary.

This bill aims to address this problem. By institutionalizing higher and
competitive salaries, we actively address the “brain drain” issue of our doctors
from leaving our country. It aims to promote the dignified role of government
doctors through commensurate compensation and with 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 &-DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


19
20
21
22
23
24
28
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
a
42
43

45

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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7644

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 Upgrading Act of 2020.”

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 Minimum Salary Grade Level. — The present
minimum salary grade level of government medical doctors 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 inchided in the General
Appropriations Act for the year following the approval of this Act.

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 in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,