(Unsplash)

A trio of congressmen led by Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte believe a pay increase for public social workers is in order.

Duterte, Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap jointly filed House Bill (HB) No.7573, titled, An Act increasing the compensation of social workers in government service, amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) No.9433, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers.

The bill, if enacted, would raise the entry-level pay of public social workers from Salary Grade 10, which is equivalent to P23,176; to Salary Grade 13, which is equivalent to P31,320.

The solons' proposal applies to all registered social workers in the government service, including those who are hired through job orders (JO) or contract of service (COS).

Despite the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 9433 or the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers Act,  Duterte and his fellow authors pointed out that  social workers “remain to be one of the least incentivized” government employees.

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,” the Mindanaoan said in justifying the bill.

Under HB No.7573, a public social worker refers to “civilian government personnel whose position requires at least a bachelor’s degree in social work, and registration or license as a social worker, whether or not the position title carries the words ‘social welfare’, such as positions concerning community affairs and development, disaster risk and management, gender and development, labor and employment, peace, early childhood and development, volunteer service, youth development, and assistance to veterans.”

“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’s authors said.