National Frontliners Month Act

"office of li TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -7 P3:05 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED 31 1116 S.B. No. Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR AS THE "NATIONAL FRONTLINERS MONTH" IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have underscored the vital contributions and the crucial role of frontline workers in combating the dangers of disease outbreaks. Amidst the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic, we have witnessed the courage, strength, and dedication of our frontline workers in their relentless efforts to protect and serve our communities. Most Filipinos were safe at home and were able to continue working and being with their loved ones because our frontline workers, including our healthcare workers, food delivery drivers, supermarket workers, restaurant cooks, security guards, agriculture and fisheries workers, garbage collectors, bank employees, logistics workers, public utility employees, police and military personnel, social workers, media people, and LGU and barangay workers, to only name a few, have been working selflessly, braving the challenges of the pandemic and reporting to their offices and job sites at the risk of their own health to keep the economy running and safeguard the public wellbeing.

Heeding the call to render essential services, fighting the spread of the virus, maintaining order and ensuring the availability of basic and critical resources and services, these frontline workers have risked their own lives as well as their family members every day whenever they deal with a patient, deliver food to our homes, collect our trash, safeguard our neighborhoods, bring food and cash rations to the in need and vulnerable, and ensure that everyone comply with the community quarantine standards to stop the spread of Covid-19. Without a doubt, these frontline workers have been rightfully hailed as heroes, having put their own lives and safety on the line to continue serving the public during times of great uncertainty. This is not the first time that our frontline workers have staunchly and heroically responded to the call of duty and it likely will not be the last. Since June is the month when we celebrate Philippine independence which was brought about by the heroism of Filipino revolutionaries who fought against foreign rule, it is only fitting that we likewise honor and recognize the values, contributions, and heroism of our frontline workers during this month. This measure seeks to declare the month of June every year as the National Frontliners Month, and to institutionalize the annual celebration of the principles and values espoused by our frontliners. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Offee alth TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -7 P3:05 First Regular Session ] RECEIVED B: SENATE 1116 S. B. No. _ Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR AS THE "NATIONAL FRONTLINERS MONTH" IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 "National

Frontliners Month Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In recognition of Filipino heroism

displayed by our frontline workers through their hard work and sacrifices, the month of June of every year is hereby declared as the "National Frontliners Month".

SEC. 3. Objectives of the Policy. - This Act aims to:

a. Recognize the significant contributions of frontline workers, including but not limited to healthcare workers; pharmacists; energy, water, and other utility sector employees; logistic workers; storekeepers; grocery and delivery workers; bank employees; security guards; garbage collectors; media people; social workers; police and military personnel; local government unit (LGU) employees; barangay officials; and government

workers, in providing basic services for the essential needs of the public, especially during national crises and emergencies; b. Highlight the heroism of our frontline workers in protecting public welfare and keeping the country going during times of calamities, disasters, and other crises; c. Give distinction to major and commendable efforts, response, and measures undertaken by our frontline workers, particularly our LGUs, and barangay officials and employees; and d. Institutionalize the annual celebration that gives honor to our frontline workers for their essential role and heroic response to the needs of the Filipino people during national crises and emergencies.

SEC. 4. Lead Agencies. - The Department of Health (DOH), the

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other government agencies, are mandated to conduct activities and programs that promote the principles and values espoused by our frontline workers as well as those that underscore, honor, and reward our frontline workers for their essential role in nation building, as well as for their significant contribution in protecting public welfare.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the

provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law, and every year thereafter, as may be necessary.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, DOLE, DILG, and the CSC shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to implement the provisions of this Act. Such IRR shall take effect immediately 29 thereafter.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive

orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,

"offer of fly. TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ] REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -7 P3:06 First Regular Session RECEIVED E SENATE S.B. No. 1117 Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION FOR THE PRACTICE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MEDICAL ACT OF 1959' AND OTHER LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act (RA) No. 2382 or "The Medical Act of 1959", as amended by RA No. 4224 in 1965 and RA No. 5946 in 1969, remains to be the law governing the practice of the medical profession. Medicine, as a branch of health science, is always in flux given considerable developments in education, practice, technology, and systems. Thus, the Practice of Medicine's governing law must be appropriate and responsive to the ever changing educational, economic, societal, technological and scientific innovations, as well as global standards and advancements. This bill seeks to squarely address these changing dynamics of the practice of modern medicine, focusing on these key aspects: (1) upgrade of standards and regulations on basic medical education, medical internship, and post-graduate medical education and training; (2) conduct of licensure and registration of physicians; (3)

supervision and regulation of the practice of medicine; (4) integrating the profession under one national professional organization of physicians; (5) upholding of the patient welfare and patient safety as the primary consideration in the practice of medicine; and (6) promotion of competence, moral values, and professional ethics of members of the medical profession. The bill likewise provides for the creation of the Medical Education Council (MEC) under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine (PRBM) under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Post-Graduate Medical Education Council (PGMEC) under the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine (PRBM), and the Integrated National Professional Organization of Physicians (INPOP). These offices and agencies will ensure the development of the medical profession, which in effect can offer more protection to the economic and social conditions of its practitioners. The bill also opens up the practice of profession to foreigners conditioned on reciprocity, provides for penalties for illegal practice of medicine, and stipulates a definition of medical malpractice and the corresponding penalties for such. These policies have long been absent in the existing laws on the medical profession, and these same policy issues should now be addressed to curb both illegal practice of medicine and medical practice. We entrust our health and our lives to our doctors, especially during times of public health emergencies. It is thus only proper that we pass an updated legislation that will benefit not only the medical profession, but the society at large, who greatly depends on the knowledge and expertise of medical professionals, as well as their adherence to recognized global standards in healthcare.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. Били