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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3596

Introduced by REP. NATHANIEL “Atty. Nat” M. ODUCADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The greatest wealth of our nation is our People. In healthcare systems worldwide, managing
hospital bed capacity is a critical component in ensuring timely and effective patient care. As
populations grow and health needs evolve, the demand for hospital beds fluctuates, requiring
strategic planning and investment. One important question is whether the decision to increase
bed capacity should still be left to the legislative or should it be devolved to the Department of
Health?

As provided in Section 11, Article XIII of the Constitution, "[tJhe State shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost."
‘This is further supported by the enactment of Republic Act No. 11223 or the "Universal Health
Care Act”, which aims to “ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality
and affordable health care".

On average, it takes around 3.6 years for a law increasing bed capacity to pass as a law. It will
take another 3 to 4 years for the hospital to be built in line with such increase. By the time that
the hospital is in operation, the needed bed capacity might have already changed. This places
the risk of fast and efficient hospital.

The shortage of hospital beds in the country became even more evident during the surge of
COVID-19 cases during which some patients had to receive immediate care inside their
vehicles in the hospital parking lots.’ Moreover, the rise of diseases will place the brink of the health
care program at risk, it we respond to it late. Recently, our country has faced the lack of bed capacity
due to the increase cases of leptospirosis.”

With this legislation, we capacitate the hospitals with a faster response. It seeks to authorize the
DOH to set and approve the bed capacity and service capability of all DOH hospitals. Through
this bill, the DOH shall have the power to address the mismatch in occupancy of Filipino

" Lopez, M, (2021, April 6). Patient gets COVID treatment inside car pending hospital admission. CNN
Philippines last accessed at https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/202 1/4/5/patient-COVID-19-treatment-car-
outsidehospital.htm!

2 Gatchalian, C. (2025, August 9). We prioritize criticaly ill patients': Public hospital emergency rooms exceed
capacity as leptospirosis cases rise, last accessed at _https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-
science/2025/8/9/public-hospital-emergency-rooms-exceed-capacity-as-leptospirosis-cases-rise-1314


patients’ access to healthcare and improve the quality of government health services. The DOH
shall also provide Congress with an annual report of hospitals with approved bed capacity,
along with the necessary funding requirements.

It is time to give the Filipino a government that focuses on their important health needs. It is
time to give Our People who underwent so much a government that they deserve — a
government that listens and improves the life of the ordinary Filipino citizen.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill and approval of the same is earnestly
sought.



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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nod 596

Introduced by REP. NATHANIEL “ATTY. NAT” M. ODUCADO

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DETERMINE AND
APPROVE THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL
EXISTING AND NEWLY-ESTABLISHED HOSPITALS UNDER THE DIRECT
SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR:

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “DOH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service
Capability Rationalization Act.”

SEC. 2. Approving Authority on Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Capability. —
Authority is hereby granted to the DOH to determine and approve the bed capacities and
corresponding service capabilities of all existing and newly-established hospitals under its
supervision and control, subject to the development plans of hospitals, catchment population,
burden of disease, availability of human resources, health care provider network, and other
standards to be determined by the DOH.

The DOH shall coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management relative to
the organizational and staffing standards and funding requirements for the upgrading of bed
capacities of hospitals.

SEC. 3. The Philippine Health Facility Development Plan. ~ The Philippine Health
Facility Development Plan developed by DOH shall guide the modernization and development
plans of all government health facilities, and in order to access capital outlay investment
through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH and other national government
capital outlay investment mechanisms: Provided, That the PHEDP shall be subject to regular


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assessment and review by the DOH every five (5) years in order to determine the need for
further increase in bed capacity and service capabilities.

SEC. 4. Funding. — The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department's
programs the funding requirements for the adjustment in bed capacity and service capability of
each DOH hospital in accordance with the PHFDP and the hospital’s modemization and
development plan, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Reporting and Oversight. - The DOH shall submit to Congress, through the
Committee on Health of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health and
Demography of the Senate, an annual report of hospitals with approved bed capacities, along
with the necessary funding requirements.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Department of Health shall
formulate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days after the effectivity
of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 8 Separability Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended,
or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,