Amid calls to strengthen protections for frontline workers, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday, September 4, filed Senate Bill No. 1352, or the proposed Protection of Workers in the Health Sector Act of 2025. The bill seeks to secure humane working conditions, hazard pay, and fair compensation for the country’s health workforce.
Go underscored how the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the sacrifices made by Filipino health workers and the vulnerabilities they continue to face.
“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,” Go wrote.
The senator emphasized that the proposed measure seeks to strengthen workplace protection for all health workers across both public and private 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,” Go said in his note.
If enacted, the bill outlines provisions for fair working hours, limiting the normal hours of work to eight per day or 40 per week. It also mandates additional compensation when health workers are required to work on rest days, and provides “On Call” pay equivalent to 50% of the regular wage when workers are placed on standby for urgent medical needs.
Hazard pay is a central feature of the proposed measure. Go explained: “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.”
Under the proposed measure, public and private health workers would receive hazard pay scaled to the type of facility: PhP 1,500 for primary health facilities, PhP 3,000 for secondary facilities, and PhP 4,500 for tertiary facilities. The benefit would be released monthly, with eligibility based on at least 96 hours of service per month, if passed into law.
Go further stressed that collaboration with private facilities must be encouraged by providing financial relief.
“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,” Go noted.
To ensure implementation, the bill mandates joint oversight by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Health (DOH) for hazard pay, alongside additional funding support from the national government through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for local and private facilities. Penalties are prescribed for violations, including failure to provide mandated benefits.
“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,” stressed Go.
SBN 1352, if passed, would enshrine these provisions into law, ensuring stronger institutional safeguards for the country’s health workforce.