Senate Bill Aims to Overhaul Pay and Conditions for Sanitation Inspectors Nationwide
A new bill has been introduced in the Senate to improve the pay, benefits, and working conditions of sanitation inspectors across the country. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Bill No. 1725, aiming to address long-standing issues in the profession, including low wages and inadequate staffing levels.
Currently, the country employs only around 2,700 sanitation inspectors. This leaves 68% of cities below the recommended ratio of one inspector per 20,000 residents. Many of these workers also face financial struggles, with a Sanitary Inspector I earning just PHP18,255 per month.
The proposed bill seeks to professionalise the role by requiring mandatory registration and accreditation through local health boards. Accredited inspectors will have their details posted in public registries. They will also need to complete environmental health sanitation training every five years.
Under the measure, inspectors would receive a range of benefits, including hazard, subsistence, laundry, and transportation allowances. Additional protections would cover health and medical benefits, GSIS insurance, PhilHealth membership, longevity pay, free legal aid, and easier access to loans. The bill further mandates stricter occupational safety standards to reduce risks in sanitation work.
The legislation also plans to upgrade position titles and salary grades nationwide. This would directly address the current issue of underpayment while ensuring better working conditions for inspectors.
If passed, the bill would bring significant changes to the sanitation inspection workforce. It would raise salaries, introduce stronger safety measures, and provide clearer career pathways. The reforms aim to ensure that cities meet staffing standards while improving the welfare of those in the profession.
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