Competitive Remuneration and Compensation Packages for Social Workers Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 16 P4:05 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go FULLY RECOGNIZING THE SERVICES OF SOCIAL WORKERS BY ENSURING COMPETITIVE REMUNERATION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Social workers play a vital role in human development and nation-building. Their contributions are indispensable, particularly in promoting social justice, delivering essential services to vulnerable sectors, and fostering inclusive and resilient communities. Despite the magnitude of their responsibility, social workers in the Philippines remain undercompensated and underappreciated. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), there were only 6,796 registered social workers across the country as of July 31, 2022—a glaring shortage that continues to hamper the effective delivery of social services, especially at the grassroots level. Many local government units have only one or even no social worker assigned to serve entire municipalities, reflecting the urgent need to fill the gap in the profession. This measure seeks to fully recognize the vital contributions of Filipino social workers by ensuring competitive remuneration and standardized benefits for all, regardless of employment status. It also aims to attract and encourage more students to enter the social work profession by making it a viable and rewarding career choice.

By institutionalizing better compensation packages, access to training, job security, and social protection, the bill hopes to strengthen the pipeline of future social workers and address the longstanding shortage in the field. Social workers are essential in the reintegration of families and communities affected by conflict, disasters, abuse, and poverty. They are the face of government support in times of crisis, working tirelessly to bring aid, healing, and hope. It is now an opportune time to fully recognize the champions of social change, those who significantly provide aid and healing within the communities, taking high- value in improving the living conditions of our kababayans. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GOY

20 alr TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 16 P4:05 SENATE RECET/ED D S. No._668 Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go FULLY RECOGNZZING THE SERVICES OF SOCTAL WORKERS BY ENSURING COMPETITIVE REMUNERATION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES, 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 "Competitive

2 Remuneration and Compensation Packages for Social Workers Act of 2025."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the state to

5 afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, and promote full employment and 6 equality of employment opportunities for all. They shall be entitled to security of 7 tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. Thus, the State shall endeavor to pay just and equitable compensation to all government personnel, including the social workers, in accordance with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, in order to attract, retain and motivate a corps of competent civil servants.

SEC. 3. Equality of rights amongst social workers in the government. - Section

17 of Republic Act No. 9443, or the "Magna Carta of Public Social Workers" provides for the Rights of a Public Social Worker. Thus, in recognition of the invaluable efforts 15 of the registered social workers in the government service, without distinction as to 16 the nature of one's engagement, the rights afforded to Public Social Workers, in the

law and its implementing rules and regulations, shall be recognized and applied equally to all registered social workers in the government, such as but not limited to: a. Protection from discrimination by reason of sex, sexual orientation, age, political or religious beliefs, civil status, physical characteristics/disability, or ethnicity; b. Protection from any form of interference, intimidation, harassment, or punishment, to include, but not limited to, arbitrary reassignment or termination of service, in the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities; c. Protection of the right to join, organize, or assist organizations or unions for lawful purposes; d. Protection from any act that will prevent his/her from applying professional interventions that the client's situation may require; and e. Opportunities for continuing professional growth and development.

SEC. 4. Increase in the Minimum Salary Grade Level. - The minimum base pay

of Social Welfare Officer I in government institutions shall not be lower than Salary 18 Grade 13 with equivalent monthly salary as prescribed in the existing and applicable Modified Salary Schedule for Civilian Employees: Provided, That for social workers working in local government units (LGUs), adjustments of their salaries shall be in accordance with applicable laws.

SEC. 5. Compensation Packages for Social Workers. - The Department of Social

24 Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with other concerned government 25 agencies, association of social workers, and the accredited professional organization 26 shall establish an incentive and benefit system for the social workers; Provided, That 27 the following compensation package shall be made available regardless of the nature of engagement of the registered social worker, to wit: a. Hazard Pay; b. Compensation for Workplace Injuries; c. Insurance; and

d. Other proper and just incentives, such as scholarship grants, training, and other non-cash benefits. Furthermore, the benefits provided under Republic Act No. 9433, or the "Magna Carta for Public Social Workers" may be extended to registered social workers under a cost of service status, the corresponding conditions, amount, and rate of which shall be subject to the determination by the DSWD, in coordination with other agencies or entities as stated in this section.

SEC. 6. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all social workers with a Social

Welfare Officer item working in the government, including those engaged by the local government unit. This Act shall cover all social workers whether regular, contractual or casual, or cost of service personnel now existing or hereafter created.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The funding sources for the amounts necessary to

implement this Act shall be as follows: a. For national government entities, the amount necessary for the immediate implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act; b. For LGUs, the amounts shall be charged against their respective local government funds in accordance with the pertinent provisions of this Act and Republic Act No. 7160.

SEC. 8. Authority of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). - The

DBM is authorized to adjust the salary grades of social worker positions in government as reflected in the occupational group Social Welfare Development under the Index of Occupational Services, Occupational Groups, Classes and Salary Grades, pursuant to DBM Budget Circular 2018-4.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DBM, DSWD and other

relevant agencies, shall, within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act, prepare 32 and issue the necessary guidelines to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,

issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official

Gazette or in one newspaper of general circulation. Approved,