Congress should prioritize passing laws that focus on saving lives, instead of killing people, said Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan Monday, after the signing and approval of the committee report on consolidated Senate Bill 1268 or the Government Doctors’ Salary Upgrading Act of 2017.
“Some of the priority bills of Congress trample on an individual’s right to life, such as the death penalty bill, and the rights of a child with its proposal to lower the age of criminal liability. We urge Congress to instead focus on bills that aim to save lives,” said Pangilinan, principal author of Senate Bill 1628 which seeks to raise the minimum salary of government doctors from Salary Grade 16 (Php28,417) to Salary Grade 24 (Php56,610).
Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros, and Loren Legarda filed similar bills heard by the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation.
“Only ten percent of Filipinos in rural areas benefit from medical professionals. We hope that this measure will encourage our doctors to serve their communities instead,” said the Liberal Party president.
According to the World Health Organization, 22,000 health professionals leave the Philippines every year to work overseas.
“There are better earning opportunities abroad. The same can be said of our OFWs. If Congress focuses on improving other sectors, particularly the labor sector, many of our people would be empowered. They will not resort to crimes to better their lives. Improving the labor sector can help eradicate the cycle of poverty. This is a better deterrent against criminality. Increasing the salary of government doctors is just the first of the many steps we have to take in improving the labor sector in the country,” the senator said.
Pangilinan earlier filed Senate Bill 59 seeking to grant civil service eligibility to casual and contractual government employees who have been in continuous and efficient service for five years.
PANGILINAN: UNAHIN NG KONGRESO ANG PAGPASA SA MGA BATAS NG NAKAKASAGIP NG BUHAY, HINDI PUMAPATAY
Dapat bigyang pansin ng Kongreso ang paggawa ng mga batas na makakapaglitas ng buhay kaysa bigyan ng pokus ang death penalty, ayon kay Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan matapos maaprubahan ang committee report ng consolidated Senate Bill 1268 o ang Government Doctors’ Salary Upgrading Act of 2017.
“Ilan sa mga batas na prayoridad ng Kongreso ay labag sa ilang karapatang pantao kagaya ng death penalty bill at ang pagpapababa sa minimum age of criminal responsiblity. Nanawagin tayo sa Kongreso na mas bigyan ng pokus ang mga batas na makakapagligtas ng mga buhay, kaysa sisira rito,” ani Pangilinan, pangunahing awtor ng Senate Bill 1628 ayna naglalayong mapataas ang minimum salary ng mga government doctors mula sa Salary Grade 16 (Php28,417) hanggang sa Salary Grade 24 (Php56,610).
Nagsponsor din ng katulad na batas sina Senator Antion Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros, at Loren Legarda na siyang dininig ng Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation.
“Sampung porsyento lamang sa ating mga kababayan sa probinsya ang mayroong access sa mga medical professionals. Umaasa kami na dahil sa batas na ito ay pipiliin ng ating mga doktor na magsilbi na lamang sa kanilang mga komunidad, kaysa magbaka-sakali sa ibang bansa,” ani ng pangulo ng Liberal Party.
Ayon sa World Health Organization, umaabot ng 22,000 ang mga Filipino health professionals na nangingibang-bansa taon-taon.
“Mas maganda ang kita sa ibang bansa. Ganito rin ang lagay ng ilan sa ating mga OFWs. Kung bibigyan din ng Kongreso ng prayoridad ang pagpapabuti sa ilang sektor kagaya ng lagay ng mga manggagawa, magkakaroon sila ng pagkakataong mas mabuti ang kanilang lagay sa buhay. Hindi na nila kailangan pang gumawa ng krimen. Ang pagsasaayos ng labor sector ay makakapigil sa kahirapan. Mas epektibo ito sa pagsugpo ng krimen. Ang pagpapataas ng sahod ng mga government doctor ay isa lamang sa marami pang hakbang na kailangan nating tahakin upang maisaayos ang sektor ng mga manggagawa sa Pilipinas,” ani ng senador.
Noong Hulyo ng nakaraang taon, inihain ni Pangilinan ang Senate Bill 59 na naglalayong magbigay ng civil service eligibility sa mga casual at contractual government employees na nakapagbigay ng maayos na serbisyo sa loob ng limang taon o higit pa.