Image from Antonio Trillanes IV Facebook page - Senator Antonio Trillanes wants salary of government doctors increased to more than P73,000
- The lawmaker said his proposed bill will seek to address the continuing exodus of Filipino doctors
- It will also be consistent with the Congress’ aim of uplifting the welfare of government workers by providing them decent pay and benefits
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is seeking to increase the minimum salary and incentives of government doctors to more than P70,000 from the current salary grade.
Trillanes filed on Sunday Senate Bill No. 526 which is seeking to raise the take-home pay of government physicians from Salary Grade 16 or P28,417 to Salary Grade 27 or equivalent to P73,937 on top of transportation allowances, representation, food and medical assistance.
In filing the proposed measure, the lawmaker said it is aimed at addressing the continuing exodus of medical practitioners who seek greener pastures abroad.
“There has been continuous exodus of Filipino physicians abroad to seek better paying jobs. Some even gave up their license to become nurses abroad,” Trillanes said in a statement.
The senator explained that the alarming rate of Filipino doctors leaving the country to seek better job opportunities outside is resulting in a very low doctors-to-patient ratio in government hospitals.
“This outflow of doctors, which has resulted to an alarming ratio of one doctor to 1,429 Filipinos, could get worse if we do not provide them a better working condition, and decent pay and benefits commensurate their qualifications,” said Trillanes.
Aside from the pay hike, P50,000 in annual loyalty service pay will also be given to those who have served more than three years in government medical institutions, while those who have rendered five years will be qualified for an educational grant.
Saying that the measure is consistent with the Congress’ aim of uplifting the welfare of our government workers by providing them decent pay and benefits, Trillanes added: “We hope that this measure would also entice our doctors to practice in the country, especially in rural areas, and eventually improve the delivery of basic health services in the country.”
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