Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2483

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Roy M. Gonzales

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and
well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and
medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event
of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of
livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

The 1987 Philippine Constitution expressly recognizes the right to health
and aims to instill health consciousness among Filipinos (Article II, Section 15).
Access to quality and affordable healthcare is a fundamental right of every
Filipino. Further, it has explicitly mandated that the State shall adopt a
comprehensive approach to health development, ensuring essential goods and
services available to all the people at affordable cost (Article XIII, Section 11), The
spirit of this bill is to echo the commitment of the State to social justice and
ensure equitable access to healthcare for all Filipinos, with particular attention to
the most vulnerable members of society.

Globally, cancer is a leading cause of death, and the burden is expected to
rise significantly by 2050. In the Philippines, there were 188,976 new cancer cases
in 2022. Approximately 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, with
roughly 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women dying from the disease.’ In 2024,
approximately 64,845 individuals in the Philippines were undergoing dialysis
treatment, marking a significant 22% increase from 53,296 patients in 2023, a
trend attributed to a rising burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the
country,

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Santa Rosa City is a first-class component city in the landlocked Province
of Laguna, which is politically subdivided into 18 barangays with a total land
area of 54.84 square kilometers, or 21.17 square miles, which constitutes 2.84% of
Laguna's total area. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was
414,812. This represented 12.26% of the total population of Laguna province, or
2.56% of the overall population of the CALABARZON region. Based on these
figures, the population density is computed at 7,564 inhabitants per square
Kilometer or 19,594 inhabitants per square mile. With the city’s growing
population and the only government-run hospital in the district, it becomes
imperative to meet the increasing demand of healthcare needs, facilities, and
services by its people.

At present, there is no existing special public hospital in the City of Santa
Rosa. With the passage of this measure, the Santa Rosa Special Hospital will be
the first special public health facility established and operated by the government
in the city in reaffirmation of the State to introduce accessible and quality health
care services for its citizens, especially the members of the marginalized and
vulnerable sectors, to meet current and projected healthcare demands by the City
of Santa Rosa.

By institutionalizing this bill, it will significantly enhance public health
outcomes, reduce overcrowding in nearby hospital facilities, and provide
accessible and quality healthcare in the service of the people of Santa Rosa's
diverse population.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this proposed measure
is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2483

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Roy M. Gonzales

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA,
LAGUNA, TO SPECIALIZE IN CANCER TREATMENT AND KIDNEY
DIALYSIS, TO BE KNOWN AS THE SANTA ROSA SPECIAL HOSPITAL,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Santa Rosa Special
Hospital Act of 2025.”

SECTION 2. Declared Policy. - \t is hereby declared policy of the State to adopt a
comprehensive approach to health development, ensuring essential goods and
services are available to all the people at affordable cost.

Toward this end, the State shall establish and support the development of
accessible, affordable, and specialized healthcare facilities to address the
increasing prevalence of chronic and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and
kidney diseases, especially in the City of Santa Rosa.

SECTION 3, Establishment of a Special Hospital. - There shall be established a
Special Hospital in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna, to be known as the “Santa
Rosa Special Hospital,” which shall specialize in the prevention, diagnosis,
treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer and kidney diseases. The facilities shall be
as follows:


(a) Cancer ‘Treatment Facility equipped with chemotherapy, medical oncology,
radiation therapy, and cancer surgery services;

(b) Kidney Dialysis Center equipped with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
units and facilities for renal patient care; and

(0) Additional diagnostic imaging, laboratory, outpatient, inpatient, pharmacy,
and other medical ancillary services.

SECTION 4. Tripartite Agreement with DOH, DPWH, and City of Santa Rosa. -
The Department of Health (DOH) recognizes the urgent need to establish
specialized public healthcare facilities, particularly for cancer treatment and
kidney disease, in fast-growing urban areas such as the City of Santa Rosa in
Southern Luzon. Thus, it shall be allocating and disbursing the necessary funds
for the administrative and operational expenses of the Santa Rosa Special
Hospital.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the
planning, design, and construction of the hospital infrastructures, such as
buildings, in accordance with national engineering and safety standards.

And the City of Santa Rosa is committed to supporting national health priorities
and agrees to make available a parcel of land under a usufruct arrangement for
the establishment of said special healthcare facility.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. ~ In reference to Section 4 of this Act, the amount
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the
allocation in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Department of Health
(DOH).

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall promulgate and issue
the necessary rules and regulations for the efficient implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7, Separability Clause. - lf any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in
full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.


SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,