Sotto's Bill requires gov't officials to submit medical certificates showing they are "Fit-to-Work"
September 22, 2020 06:20 PM
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto has just filed the Fit-to-Work Bill which requires all government officials and employees to submit an annual medical certificate showing their good state of health.
“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 a critical factor in discharging one’s function, yet often overlooked."
Senate President Tito Sotto has just filed a proposal aptly named "Fit-to-Work Bill". He believes this will gain people’s trust while promoting transparency in public officials.
The Bill requires all government officials and employees to submit an annual medical certificate showing their good state of health. Additionally, the Senator said, this also promotes health consciousness among the country’s public servants so that they may carry on with their tasks while ensuring everyone they are fit to serve their fellow Filipinos.
Sotto believes that a "good state of health is of equal importance and a critical factor in discharging one’s function, yet often overlooked."
Public officials and employees will be required to take an annual physical examination in any hospital—private or government, or a DOH-accredited diagnostics clinic. That being said, the examination of their medical certificate, and laboratory test results (if applicable) must be evaluated by a government physician. Afterward, the physician will issue a medical certificate containing a summary of its findings along with a declaration of whether the patient is fit to work or needs further tests.
The bill, however, respects the privacy of laboratory tests which are confidential documents, so these are not included in the inspection of one’s medical certificate.
Issuance or use of any false medical certificates or laboratory test results shall be punishable under existing criminal laws.
Annually, within the first quarter of the year, all public officials and employees should submit their medical certificates on or before April 30. Failure to submit a medical certificate within the given date will be considered an administrative offense.
