ADMINISTRATION lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to increase the entry-level pay of public social workers in recognition of the indispensable role they play in providing assistance to the poor and other vulnerable sectors of society.
Reps. Paolo Duterte of Davao City, Eric Yap of Benguet and Edvic Yap (PL, ACT-CIS) filed House Bill (HB) 7573 seeking to increase the entry-level pay of public social workers from Salary Grade 10 or P23,176, to Salary Grade 13, which is equivalent to P31,320.
The proposal applies to all registered social workers in the government service, including those who are hired through job orders or contract of service.
“Public social workers go through extreme lengths to make our citizens feel the government’s presence and assistance, and it is only appropriate to establish necessary measures to recognize their heroic deeds and invaluable dedication,” the bill said.
Despite the enactment of Republic Act 9433 or the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers Act, the authors said that social workers “remain to be one of the least incentivized” government employees, notwithstanding their vital task of helping underprivileged Filipinos during times of crisis.
Duterte said public social workers are the people that underprivileged Filipinos turn to in times of need, especially in government hospitals where they help families of patients find ways to get financial relief from mounting medical bills.
“Social workers are like shock absorbers. They help our countrymen in times of personal crisis, disasters and other emergency situations. Despite this, public social workers are the least appreciated as shown by the compensation they receive, which is grossly disproportionate to the tiring work and hours they put in as government frontliners,” he said.