Sentate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the Greetary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 26 FEB -5 P3:53 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1788 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT UPGRADING THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTISTS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Oral health is a vital component of overall well-being, contributing to self- confidence and long-term physical health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to several health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and infections that may contribute to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Hence, there is a pressing need to ensure access to quality oral health services to promote the general health of every Filipino, especially those in underserved and rural communities. However, according to the National Database of Selected Human Resources for Health, there were only 1,943 dentists employed in the public sector as of December 2022. This means that a single public dentist is responsible for serving the oral health needs of roughly 57,423 Filipinos-far below the ideal dentist-to-population ratio recommended by global health standards. This shortage severely limits access to dental care, especially for those relying solely on public health services. The significant disparity between the compensation offered by the public sector and the potential higher income available in private practice hinders the government's ability to attract and retain dentists, leaving public employment at a competitive disadvantage. A Dentist I in government currently receives a Salary Grade 13,
equivalent to about PHP 34,421 monthly in 2025. In contrast, dentists in private practice often earn far more, without the additional civil service qualifications, responsibilities, and restrictions required in the public sector. This disparity discourages newly licensed dentists from entering government service and contributes to a shortage of public oral health professionals. This bill seeks to address this long-standing issue by upgrading the salary grade allocation for government-employed dentists. Under the proposed measure, the salary grades will be increased to SG-17 for Dentist I; SG-20 for Dentist II; SG-23 for Dentist III; SG-25 for Dentist IV; SG-27 for Dentist V; SG-29 for Dentist VI; and SG-30 for Dentist VII. This adjustment will apply across all government agencies, including national government offices, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units. By offering more competitive salary, the bill aims to encourage more students to pursue dentistry and incentivize licensed practitioners to enter or stay in government service, ultimately helping to close the gap in public oral health care delivery. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
SentalE Office of the freetary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session FEB -5 P3:53 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1788 Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT UPGRADING THE SALARY GRADE OF DENTISTS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 " Public Dentist Salary
2 Modification Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 5 among them. In line with this policy, and in recognition of the critical role of dentists 6 in promoting oral health among Filipinos, and the need to encourage qualified health 7 care professionals to join and remain in government service, the State shall ensure 8 that the compensation received by public dentists remain commensurate to the 9 demands of the service, and that their social and economic well-being, living and working conditions, and terms of employment are continuously promoted and 11 improved.
Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all dentists employed in all agencies
13 and Instrumentalities of government, including national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCS), state universities and 15 colleges, and local government units (LGUs), regardless of their status of employment.
Sec. 4. Adjustment of Salary Grade of Public Dentists. - Upon the
effectivity of this Act, the salary grade levels for dentists employed in all government agencies and instrumentalities shall be modified as follows: Position Title Old Salary Grade New Salary Grade Dentist I Dentist II Dentist III Dentist IV Dentist V Dentist VI Dentist VII Provided, that public dentists employed on part-time or casual basis under the Human Resources for Health and other similar programs and projects of the government shall receive remuneration in accordance with the modified salary grade schedule and shall be paid proportionate to the actual service they have rendered: Provided, further. That government agencies and instrumentalities that are not covered under Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, shall continue to receive their current remuneration so long as the salaries they receive correspond to or are higher than the salary schedule provided under this Act: Provided, finally. That the modified salaries of public dentists employed by LGUs shall correspond to the income classification of the LGU concerned and shall not exceed the percentage of the applicable salary schedule as provided in Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law of 2019.
Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to effectively implement
27 the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, in the respective annual appropriations ordinances of the LGUs, and in the respective 29 annual corporate operating budgets of the GOCCS.
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days
1 from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Budget and Management shall, in coordination with other government agencies concerned, promulgate the rules and 3 regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
5 declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected 6 thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,
8 issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and 9 inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect on the fiscal year immediately
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. Approved,