SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
2092 
S.B. No. --'-~..:: 
'14 
JAN 28 P5 :05 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Philippine tourism geared towards health and tourism grew by eighteen percent 
(18%) in 2013 because of the influx of foreign tourists and expatriates availing of 
medical treatments and procedures offered by local hospitals. The increase in number 
of patients patronizing domestic medical services was attributable to the lower cost of 
services as compared with developed countries. 
Stakeholders have observed that there is a need to improve and advance 
medical techniques, equipment and services in order to further grow medical tourism in 
the country. 
Further, research has shown that industry expansion requires the 
consolidation of business strategies and plans being undertaken by the many 
stakeholders involved. 
Considering that the Philippines was among the top 10 countries visited for 
medical tourism in 2010, this industry has strong potential in boosting the Philippine 
economy as well as promoting local job generation. The present bill puts in place the 
foundations for an attractive strategy to strengthen and develop medical tourism in the 
country to ensure (1) that the industry is internationally competitive and (2) that local 
professionals are incentivized to remain in the country and invest their talents in the 
domestic market 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought 
. LAPID 
Senator 1J1t/( 


1 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2092 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
'14 
JAN 28 P 5 :05 
«EC' EI\' I: f) Ill .. f 
STRENGTHENING AND PROMOTING MEDICAL TOURISM IN THE 
COUNTRY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Medical 
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Tourism Act of 2014", 
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SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the 
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people's right to health and the delivery of quality health care services to patients. In 
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line with the same, the State shall promote the development of medical services that are 
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international in caliber. 
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The State shall facilitate the collaboration between public and private health 
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service providers at the national and local levels in order to establish a globally 
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competitive medical tourism program. 
Towards this end, the State shall provide 
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mechanisms to maintain, update and improve scientific knowledge, technical skills, 
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competence and doctor-patient relationships of health providers offering medical 
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tourism packages. 
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SEC. 3. 
National Accreditation Procedures for Hospitals, Medical 
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Centers and Health Service Providers. - In order to ensure the availability of low cost 
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medical treatment, the provision of high quality medical care, and the quick delivery of 
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services, particularly for critical treatments, whether to foreign or local patients, the 
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Department of Health (DOH) is hereby mandated to conduct a national accreditation 
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and affiliation program that will assess the level, competence and quality of health care 
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delivery provided by hospitals, medical centers and health service facilities seeking to 
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provide medical tourism packages to foreign patients. 
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Towards this end, the DOH shall issue appropriate standards, guidelines and 
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procedures for the accreditation process and monitoring of hospitals, medical centers 
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and health service providers seeking to provide medical tourism services to local and 
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foreign clients. 
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Existing hospitals, medical centers and health service facilities who want to avail 
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of the benefits provided herein may request for accreditation with the DOH with respect 
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to the evaluation of quality of health services and the Department of Tourism (DOT) with 
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respect to the attractiveness and quality of such services in the global market. 
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SEC. 4. 
National Task Force on Medical Tourism. -
There is hereby 
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established and institutionalized a National Task Force on Medical Tourism (NTFMT), 
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hereafter referred to as the "Task Force", which shall serve as an inter-agency and 
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multi-sectoral mechanism tasked to promote the implementation of the National Medical 
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Tourism Plan ofthe government. 
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SEC. 5. 
Composition of the National Task Force on Medical Tourism. --
The Task Force shall be composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Health 
(DOH) and Department of Tourism (DOT) who shall serve as co-chairmen of the Task 
Force. The Task Force shall be composed on the following members: 
a) 
The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); 
b) 
The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); 
c) 
The Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ); 
d) 
The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG); 
e) 
One 
(1) 
representative 
from 
duly 
accredited 
travel 
and 
tours 
organizations; 
f) 
One (1) representative from duly accredited hospital associations in the 
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country; 
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g) 
One (1) representative from duly accredited associations of medical 
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doctors and practitioners. 
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h) 
One (1) representative from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) 
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involved in the medical tourism advocacy; 
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The five (5) members of the Task Force who are representatives of the travel and 
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tours organizations, hospital associations, medical doctors and medical practitioners 
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and non-government organizations shall be appointed by the President of the 
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Philippines from a list of three (3) nominees from each sector and shall serve for a term 
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of three (3) years, which shall be renewable for another term: Provided, That the person 
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appointed shall be of good moral character, of unquestionable integrity, and with 
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expertise and experience of at least six (6) years in medical tourism and such other 
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related fields: Provided, further, That in the event of a vacancy, the successor appointed 
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to fill the vacancy shall serve only the unexpired portion of the term of the member 
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succeeded. 
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The members of the Task Force from government agencies and institutions may 
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designate their permanent representatives who shall have a rank not lower than an 
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assistant secretary or its equivalent to attend meetings. 
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All members of the Task Force shall receive emoluments as may be determined 
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by the Task Force in accordance with existing budget and accounting rules and 
10 
regulations. 
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SEC. 6. 
Meetings. - The Task Force shall meet at least once a month upon 
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a three-day notice signed by the two (2) Chairpersons or as often as necessary upon a 
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written request signed by two-thirds (2/3) of its members. 
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The presence of a majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a 
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quorum in order for it to conduct its business. 
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SEC. 7. 
The Powers and Functions of the National Task Force on 
Medical Tourism. - The Task Force shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) 
To establish, initiate and coordinate multi-sectoral medical tourism action 
plans at the regional and local government unit level; 
(b) 
To establish a medical tourism website and to coordinate the 
implementation and dissemination of information thereon for the purpose of making 
medical tourism programs of the government accessible and known internationally; 
(c) 
To institutionalize and coordinate the establishment of a legal support 
mechanism in order to ensure that foreign medical tourism patients are given legal 
assistance in cases of medical malpractice from the various health providers involved in 
the medical tourism program of the country; 
(d) 
To receive donations and grants from international donor institutions, 
foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in the 
promotion and advocacy of medical tourism all over the world; 
(e) 
To establish guidelines and procedures in the prosecution of those service 
providers and medical practitioners who exploit medical tourism patients and those 
found in violation of the provisions of this Act; 
(f) 
To catalyze and provide the avenue for information sharing, exchange 
36 
programs and sharing of best practices on issues relating to medical tourism; 
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(h) 
To provide gender sensitive medical tourism programs and projects that 
will inform the general public, policy makers in the LGU level and medical practitioners 
on the various issues concerning medical tourism; 
(i) 
To establish a databank that will provide detailed information on the 
quality and state of medical tourism in the country; 
Q) 
To establish a mechanism for the legal protection of medical tourism 
patients who come to avail of the medical tourism program of the government, as 
provided for in this Act; 
(k) 
To issue certificates of accreditation and affiliation to qualified health 
10 
service institutions and facilities for the delivery of medical tourism services; and 
II 
(I) 
To hire and avail of the services of technical experts, conSUltants and staff 
12 
in the field of medical tourism and other relevant fields of disciplines for the effective 
13 
implementation of its mandated duties and functions. 
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SEC. 8. 
The National Task Force on Medical Tourism Secretariat . . The 
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National Task Force on Medical Tourism shall establish a Task Force Secretariat which 
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shall serve as the technical support staff to effectively implement the provisions of this 
18 
Act. Towards this end, the National Task Force on Medical Tourism shall submit to the 
19 
Civil Service Commission (CSC) the staffing complements of the Task Force Secretariat 
20 
to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 9. 
Creation of a National Website for Medical Tourism. •. The 
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National Task Force on Medical Tourism, in coordination with the various stakeholders 
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in the medical tourism industry, is hereby mandated to establish a national website on 
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Philippine Medical Tourism. The Website shall highlight the various medical tourism 
26 
packages being offered in the country and provide a list of accredited medical tourism 
27 
providers so that prospective patients/clients can register on the website and select 
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medical packages bundled with hotel accommodations, car transfer services, tour 
29 
guides and caregivers. This website shall contain all the information on the variety of 
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medical procedures available in the Philippines. 
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The Medical Tourism Website shall also incorporate a market information system 
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which shall be installed for the use and benefit of all the stakeholders in the medical 
33 
tourism industry in the country. 
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SEC. 10. 
Marketing of Medical Tourism. 
-
The Task Force is hereby 
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tasked to establish a National Marketing Program in order to ensure the generation of 
37 
the highest possible income for all the stakeholders in the medical tourism industry in 
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the country by matching supply and demand in both domestic and foreign medical 
tourism markets. 
As such, within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the National 
Task Force on Medical Tourism shall formulate a strategic marketing plan to highlight 
the marketing strategies, business plan and operational plan that will be adopted by our 
government so that our health services, medical tourism packages, hotels, treatment 
and post-operative vacation packages will be competitive with and comparable to those 
being offered by other countries. 
SEC. 11. 
Issuance of VISA to Foreign Medical Tourists . • Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), 
in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Department of Health and Department 
of Trade and Industry shall formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations 
for the issuance of visas for foreign medical tourists who will seek to visit the Philippines 
and avail of our country's various medical tourism packages. 
SEC. 12. 
Medical Tourism Modernization Credit Facility and Loan 
Package. - The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is hereby mandated to formulate a 
Medical Tourism Credit Facility and Loan Package Window which shall provide low 
interest loans for medical institutions and health service providers seeking to improve 
and modernize their health facilities, eqUipment and services in order to participate in 
the medical tourism program being implemented by the government. 
Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Land Bank of the 
Philippines is mandated to formulate the necessary guidelines, procedures and 
requirements for the various stakeholders to avail of the Medical Tourism Credit Facility 
and Loan Package, as mandated under this Section. 
SEC. 13. 
Annual Conference on Medical Tourism. - The National Task 
Force on Medical Tourism, in coordination with the various stakeholders in the medical 
tourism industry, is hereby mandated to conduct an Annual Medical Tourism 
Conference which will be participated in by those concerned with and participating in 
domestic medical tourism, including hotel operators, medical practitioners, tours and 
travel providers, marketing and sales agents, government regulators, policy makers, 
health facility suppliers and providers and various ancillary service providers involved in 
the delivery of comprehensive medical tourism packages to clients/patients. 
The Annual Medical Tourism Conference shall be an avenue for various players 
in the medical tourism industry to share their knowledge on the issues, business trends 
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and avenues relating to the medium- and long-term prospects of domestic medical 
2 
tourism. 
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The national conference shall discuss and review the demand and supply data of 
4 
other countries in order to provide the stakeholders with information needed for them to 
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become internationally competitive in the field of medical tourism. 
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SEC. 14. 
Monitoring the State of Medical Tourism in the Country . •• The 
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National Task Force on Medical Tourism is hereby tasked to conduct a comprehensive 
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study on the state of medical tourism in the country, taking into account the quality of 
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health service delivery being provided by existing health providers, the supply of health 
10 
service providers, the global demand and market for medical tourism and the 
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international competitiveness of the Philippine medical tourism packages. The 
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comprehensive study on the state of medical tourism in the Philippines shall include the 
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following aspects: 
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(1) 
The socia-economic, demographic and academic training characteristics 
15 
of the health providers in the country; 
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(2) 
The extent of satisfaction of clients/patients with services being provided 
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in our country in comparison with the satisfaction rates of other clients in other 
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countries; 
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(3) 
A market demand analysis on the various medical procedures and 
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operations being demanded by various patients all over the world; and 
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(4) 
The medium-term and long-term supply and demand prospects of medical 
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tourism industry. 
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Furthermore, the National Task Force on Medical Tourism shall conduct a 
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comprehensive study on the viability and efficiency on the coordination and integration 
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of various medical services being offered by the six (6) government-run hospitals, 
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namely: the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney 
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and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children and Medical Center and the East Avenue 
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Medical Center, with the end in view of making Philippine medical tourism packages 
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competitive with that of our foreign competitors. 
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Finally, the National Task Force on Medical Tourism shall also conduct a 
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comprehensive study on the viability, efficiency and effectiveness of incorporating into 
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the government's National Medical Tourism Program such proviSions and programs of 
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Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act 
34 
of 1997. 
3S 
Within two (2) years from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Task Force shall 
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make a report to both Houses of Congress on the results of the studies conducted by 
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the Task Force for policy implication, in aid of legislation, in order to further promote the 
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development of the medical tourism industry in the country. 
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SEC. 15. 
International Accreditation of our Hospitals and Health Service 
4 
Facilities. - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is hereby mandated to assist 
5 
the various hospitals and health service delivery points to acquire the required 
6 
accreditation from foreign countries so that our hospitals and health service facilities can 
7 
serve foreign tourist patients. Towards this end, the DTI shall conduct intensive 
8 
consultation with foreign health service accreditation agencies in order to facilitate the 
9 
accreditation of our hospitals, medical practitioners and health service delivery facilities 
10 
to serve their foreign patients. 
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Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of 
12 
Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), 
13 
shall promulgate necessary implementing guidelines and accreditation procedures for 
14 
our hospital to seek accreditation for them to serve foreign patients from foreign 
15 
countries. 
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SEC. 16. 
Appropriation. -
The amount necessary to implement the 
18 
provisions of this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general 
19 
appropriations of the various agencies of the government involved in the implementation 
20 
of the National Task Force on Medical Tourism and in the various provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 17. 
Litigation of Medical Malpractice. - Within six (6) months from 
23 
the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ), in consultation with 
24 
the Department of Health (DOH), shall promUlgate necessary implementing rules and 
25 
regulations and guidelines in the prosecution of erring health service providers and 
26 
health practitioners found to have conducted medical malpractice in the provision of 
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medical health services to medical tourism patients/clients. 
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SEC. 18. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR). - Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Tourism (DOT) shall 
promUlgate necessary implementing rules and regulations in the accreditation of travel, 
tours and tourism facilities and equipment that will seek to implement medical tourism 
packages and programs for foreign medical patients. 
SEC. 19. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
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regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 20. 
Separability Clause . • If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
2 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
3 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
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SEC. 21. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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from the date of its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
8