Magna Carta for Public Health Workers

quite tir TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -3 P4:28 First Regular Session ) RECOM..: S. No._ SENATE 5 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo MANDATING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR OVERTIME WORK AND WORK RENDERED DURING REST DAYS AND SPECIAL HOLIDAYS OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 16 AND 17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7305, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Article XIII, Section 12 further mandates the State to undertake appropriate health manpower development, responsive to the country's health needs and problems. Filipino health workers form the backbone of our public health system. Their role is indispensable, especially in underserved areas, where communities often rely on them as their only source of medical care. Yet despite their critical contribution, many of our public health workers remain overworked and underpaid. One apparent issue is that health workers do not get paid properly or consistently when they work overtime or during rest days and holidays. As of December 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 955,875 health care workers in the Philippines, with 126,200 of them serving in public health institutions. On the other hand, 595,370 of the total health care workforce are classified under unspecified practice, which may indicate unemployment or employment in

unrelated fields. Furthermore, there are 348,133 migrant health workers, and this number continues to grow. These data highlight the growing need to make the Philippine labor market for public health workers more sustainable and to create better career opportunities for them. With thousands of health workers leaving the country in search of better pay and working conditions abroad, we must take urgent action to motivate and retain those who continue to serve our fellow Filipinos. Under the Republic Act No. 7305, or the "Magna Carta of Public Health Workers," the provisions allow for additional compensation for overtime work and work rendered during rest days and special holidays, in accordance with existing laws and prevailing practices. However, in practice, this has often resulted in the use of Compensatory Time- Off (CTO) instead of cash payment, as outlined in Civil Service Commission and Department of Budget and Management Joint Circular No. 02, s. 2015. While CTO is permitted by law, it is not a cash benefit and does not address the day-to-day financial needs of public health workers. Those who render duty on weekends, holidays, or beyond their regular hours, often during emergencies, deserve nothing less than fair monetary compensation for their time and service. By clarifying the law and disallowing CTO in place of cash payment, we give health workers the proper recognition they deserve for their hard work. This amendment aims to promote and improve the social and economic well-being of health workers by ensuring just compensation. In this regard, the amendment is not only a matter of fairness in labor, it is a matter of national interest. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TULFO pog

.:.= TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL - P4 P4:28 First Regular Session SENATE S. No._ Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR OVERTIME WORK AND WORK RENDERED DURING REST DAYS AND SPECIAL HOLIDAYS OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 16 AND 17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7305, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section. 1. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna

Carta for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows: "SEC. 16. Overtime Work. - Where the exigencies of the service so require, any public health worker may be required to render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours a day. In such a case, the workers shall be paid an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF CASH, [in accordance with existing laws and prevailing practices) COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE OVERTIME RATES."

Sec. 2. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta

for Public Health Workers" is hereby amended as follows: "SEC. 17. Work During Rest Day and Special Holidays. -

...et a. Where a public health worker is made to work on his/her scheduled rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF CASH [in accordance with existing laws]. b. Where a public health worker is made to work on any special holiday he/she shall be paid an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF CASHI, in accordance with existing laws]. Where such holiday work falls on the worker's scheduled rest day, he/she shall be entitled to an additional compensation EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF CASH L- as may be provided by existing laws]."

Sec. 3. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary for the implementation of this

Act shail be charged against the current year available appropriations of the Department 12 of Health (DOH. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation shail be included in the annual general appropriations.

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH and the Department of

15 Budget and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared invalid or

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

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules

and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, amended, and/or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,