A bill requiring government officials and employees to submit a medical certificate to prove they are fit to work has been filed in the Senate.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III recently filed Senate Bill No. 1818 or the proposed "Fit-to-Work Act" which mandates public servants to submit a medical certificate yearly "to ensure that they are in a state of health that would enable them to perform their tasks satisfactorily and provide prompt and adequate service to the public."
"It is the mandate of public officers and employees to serve the people with utmost responsibility and efficiency at all times. Intelligence and skills alone are not enough to carry out this sworn duty. A good state of health is of equal importance and critical factor in discharging one's function, yet often overlooked," Sotto said.
Aside from ensuring that public officials and employees are in good state of health, SB 1818 also seeks raise health awareness among them and promote transparency about their health status.
Under the bill, government officials and employees must submit a medical certificate and laboratory test results on or before April 30 of every year showing their fitness to perform their duties and responsibilities.
Public officials and employees shall undergo annual physical examination, whose results must be evaluated by a government physician who would issue the medical certificate.
The bill proposes to allow public access to these medical certificates for lawful purposes but won't allow laboratory test results attached to these medical certificates to be accessed due to confidentiality and privacy.
Failure to submit the required medical certificate shall be considered as an administrative offense. Public officials and employees could also be charged criminally for the issuance and use of fake medical certificates.
The Civil Service Commission shall be in charge of the implementation of this requirement.