Protection of Workers in the Health Sector Act of 2025

Sente lopire of the Serretasy TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE SEP -4 P3:9 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session SENATE1 352 S. B. No.. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF WORKERS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR BY ENSURING THE PROVISION OF JUST AND HUMANE CONDITIONS OF WORK, AND PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE EMPLOYERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significant risks and challenges faced by healthcare workers, both in public and private institutions. Day after day, they served on the frontlines, risking their health to save others. Despite this, many of them remain undercompensated and under-protected, especially those in private health facilities. This bill seeks to ensure that all public and private health care workers shall be protected by their employers in the workplace including ensuring fair hours of work, and providing decent wages and other wage-related benefits. The bill also provides a clear and equitable structure for monthly hazard pay, ensuring that those who render services under dangerous conditions receive just and timely remuneration. This not only affirms the State's commitment to upholding workers' rights and safety, as enshrined in the Labor Code and other relevant laws, but also encourages a safer and more just working environment for our healthcare workforce. Moreover, recognizing the financial burden this may place on private health institutions, the bill also provides tax incentives to employers who comply. This aims

to foster collaboration between the government and the private sector in sustaining the welfare of our health workers without compromising business viability. In doing so, this proposed measure strengthens our overall health system resilience while upholding justice and compassion for those who care for our nation's well-being. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

Senate Difir of the Ecceretrig TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 25 SEP -4 P3:55 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session SENATE S. B. No. - 1352 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO N ACT PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF WORKERS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR BY ENSURING THE PROVISION OF JUST AND HUMANE CONDITIONS OF WORK, AND PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE EMPLOYERS, 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 " Protection of Workers

in the Health Sector Act of 2025."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State, in accordance with

the principles enshrined in Article XIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, to uphold the dignity and rights of labor, promote the rights of workers, and ensure the provision of just and humane conditions of work. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure that the general welfare of Filipino healthcare workers is promoted and shall adhere to the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, particularly Article 4, which emphasizes the protection and promotion of the welfare of employees, thereby promoting the delivery of quality healthcare services and safeguarding the health of the Filipino people.

SEC. 3. Definition Of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms

shall be defined as follows:

(a) Health facilities shall refer to any public or private institution with health care as their core service, function or business. Health care pertains to the maintenance or improvement of the health of individuals, or populations through the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and chronic management of disease, illness, injury and other physical and mental ailments or impairments; and (b) Health care workers shall refer to all public and private medical, allied medical, administrative, technical, support and other necessary personnel employed by, and assigned in hospitals, health facilities, laboratories, medical or temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, or vaccination sites.

SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all public and private health care

workers, regardless of employment status, who are directly or indirectly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients in the course of their employment in health facilities.

SEC. 5. Protection of Workers. - All public and private health care workers shall

be protected by their employers or principal in the workplace. Employers shall implement the fair hours of work, wages and other wage-related benefits, social security and welfare benefits, basic necessity, health and safety, working conditions and standards, as provided in this Act, Presidential Decree No. 442 or the "Labor Code of the Philippines", as amended, Republic Act No. 11058, entitled "An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof", and other applicable laws.

SEC. 6. Hours of Work. - The normal hours of work of any health worker shall

not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours worked shall include: a) all the time during which a health worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; and b) all the time during which a health worker is permitted to work: Provided, That, the time when a health worker is placed on "On 32 Call" status shall not be considered as hours worked but shall entitle the health worker

to an "On Call" pay equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of his/her regular wage. "On 2 Call" status refers to a condition when health workers are called upon to respond to urgent or immediate need for health/medical assistance or relief work during emergencies such that he/she cannot devote the time for his/her own use. Where a heaith worker is made to work on his/her scheduled rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing laws.

SEC. 7. Entitlement To Hazard Pay. - All public and private health workers in

health facilities shall be entitled to hazard pay, in addition to their regular compensation for every month of service based on the risk exposure categorization as defined in this Act. The Hazard Pay shall be provided to healthcare workers, as follows: (a) Primary Health Facilities - One thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00); (b) Secondary or Level 1 to 2 Health Facilities - Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00); (c) Tertiary or Level 3 Health Facilities - Four thousand five hundred pesos (P4,500.00). The Hazard Pay shall be released monthly in addition to the existing benefits that the public and private health care and non-health care workers receive: Provided, further, That the Hazard Pay shall be released in full if a public and private health worker or non-health care worker physically renders services for at least ninety-six (96) hours in a month; otherwise, the benefit shall be prorated. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Health (DOH) shall jointly oversee the funding and implementation of hazard pay.

SEC. 8. Tax Deductions for Private Health Facilities. - Upon effectivity of this

Act, private health facilities shall be entitled to an additional deduction from their gross income, equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the total amount paid for hazard pay, subject to the provision of Section 34 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. -

(a) The amount necessary for the provision of hazard pay in the national government-run health facilities shall be charged against the budget of the respective agencies; (b) The amount necessary for the provision of hazard pay in the local government-run health facilities shall be charged against the budget of the respective local government units; and (c) The amount necessary for the provision of hazard pay in private health facilities shall be charged against the budget of private health facilities. The national government, through the DBM, shall provide additional funding support for the provision of hazard pay in local government-run and private health facilities to ensure the sustainability of hazard pay for health workers.

SEC. 10. Penalties. - Any employer found to be in violation of this Act, including

the failure to provide hazard pay to eligible health workers, shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by existing labor laws and regulations.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOLE, DOH, Department

of Budget and Management, and Department of Finance, in coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity: Provided, That the non-promulgation of the rules and regulations shall not prevent the immediate implementation of this Act upon effectivity.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or

inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

is publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. Approved,