Is salary increase for devolved PHWs possible despite the PS limitation?

In case, the Local Government Unit (LGU) is about to exceed the budgetary Personal Services (PS) Limitation, is there an alternative remedy for devolved public health workers (PHWs) to get salary increase, at par with their national counterpart? This PS limitation is provided under Section 325 of  R.A 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government […]

Are LGU Hospitals and RHUs exempt from PS limitation?

A major issue in devolved health facilities, e.g, devolved hospitals and Rural Health Units (RHUs),  concerns the personal services (PS) limitation being applied to them pursuant to Section 325 (a) of R.A 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.   This is invoked by majority of budget officers from the local government […]

PPHA Magna Carta Benefits Petition Partly Granted

In G.R. No. 207145, the Supreme Court (SC) en banc ruled on the petition on Magna Carta benefits filed by the Philippine Public Health Association, Inc (PPHAI) against the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Health (DOH) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The petition, which was decided on July 28, 2015 as […]

Asin Law or R.A 8172 in relation to R.A 9711 explained

What is the relation of Republic Act no 8172 to R.A 9711? And how should the circular of the Department of Health vis-a-vis any issuance of the Food and Drugs Administration concerning the issue be interpreted. The former law is known as Asin law or “An Act Requiring Salt Iodization Nationwide and for related purposes”. […]

100% salary increase for devolved health workers

Is 100% salary increase under Joint Resolution No. 4 not applicable to devolved health workers? To better understand the controversy on the implementation of salary increase under the law, the following antecedent facts may be reviewed. Under Republic Act no. 7160, basic health services were devolved to the LGUs, more specifically: 1) to the municipalities […]

Rules on Price freeze of medicines during disasters

The Department of Health (DOH) recently issued the guidelines for price freeze of medicines during disasters and emergencies.This is pursuant to Republic Act no. 7581 or “An Act Providing protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Price Commodities and by Prescribing Measures Against undue Price Increases during Emergency Situation and like […]

DOH’s ‘2 work shift duty’ for nurses in hospitals

Due to adopted practices of some hospitals and clamor for approval for a divergent work schedule, Department of Health (DOH) issued Department Circular no. 2013-0423 prescribing for guidelines on allowing two (2) work shift duty for nurses in hospitals. Under the previously issued AO no. 2012-0012, hospitals are to maintain the 1:12 nurse to bed […]

Business Ethics in Biopharmaceutical Sector

The Mexico City “voluntary codes of business ethics” was recently adopted by Food and Drugs Administration. Under FDA Circular no. 2013-024, dated September 5, 2013, ethical violations are grounds for filing appropriate administrative charges and/or imposition of administrative sanctions such as, but not limited to, imposition of fines, suspension, cancellation or revocation of any license, […]

Previous Rules of R.A 7305 not repealed

Did DBM-DOH  Joint Circular no. 1, s. 2012 passed by the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Heath effectively repeal the Revised Implementation Rules and Regulations of R.A 7305? Legally speaking, I don’t think so. It is because of the expiration of time in passing the rules and regulations on categorization of Magna […]

FDA Sales Promotion Permit Guidelines

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the current guidelines on sales promotion permit applications last July 5, 2013. Under FDA Memorandum Circular no. 2013-028, applicants are required to file their application for permit at least thirty (30) days before actual commencement of the sales promotion. This timeline is  pursuant to Article 116 of R.A 7394 […]