Public Dentist Salary Modification Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 A10:58 SENATE RFO" S. No. - Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero 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 an integral part of the overall health of an individual. Despite its importance, however, oral health is chronically relegated to the backburner not only in terms of public health spending, but also in terms of public employment. The National Database of Selected Human Resources for Health reveals that there are only 2,369 dentists employed in the public sector as of December 2024, leaving only one public dentist to cater to the oral health needs of about 47,699 Filipinos. One of the primary reasons why the government fails in recruiting dentists is the disparity between the authorized remuneration for public dentists and the potential income dentists could earn in private practice. Compensation for an entry-level dentist position in government is set at Salary Grade (SG) 13, which is equivalent to only PHP34,421 in 2025. Private dental practice can potentially earn more than what the government can offer, and without the stringent requirements and restrictions that comes with employment in the civil service.

Drawing from the wisdom of several bills' filed in the House of Representatives in the 19t Congress, this bill seeks to modify the salary grade schedule for dentists employed by all agencies and instrumentalities of government, including national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units. Under the proposed measure, public dentists would receive remuneration equivalent 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. It is hoped that through this intervention, more students would be enticed to study dentistry and more qualified dentists will enter and remain in government service. Ultimately, this bill seeks to contribute to the realization of the constitutional directive to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Respectfully submitted. FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 1 House Bill No. 2046 filed by Rep. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor; House Bill No. 3776 filed by Rep. Patrick Michael D. Vargas; House Bill No. 4382 filed by Rep. Loreto B. Acharon; House Bill No. 4814 filed by Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago; and House Bill No. 5086 filed by Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 14 M10:59 SENATE S. No. - Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero 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

4 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 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 12 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 22 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 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 annual corporate operating budgets of the GOCCS.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the

2 effectivity of this Act, the Department of Budget and Management shall, in 3 coordination with other government agencies concerned, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared

6 unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances,

9 and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and 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) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,