NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. No. _2960

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL HEART CENTER IN EACH OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The World Health Organization tags cardiovascular diseases as the number
one cause of death in the world. The annual global death toll from such diseases
reaches around 17.9 million, which is equivalent to three for every ten deaths
reported.*

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that despite the coronavirus
pandemic in 2020, heart diseases were still the leading cause of death in the
country. During the said year, around 150,000 died of heart diseases translating to
17 deaths every hour.? Furthermore, according to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC),
the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the country has remained the same for
many years, 47.5% per 100,000 population die because of a heart attack while 25%
die of hypertension and other forms of heart disease.* Cardiovascular diseases were
also number five on the list of deadly diseases affecting Filipino children.*

The vulnerability of the human heart requires specialized cardiac care that is
performed only by professional and trained heart specialists, in a facility that is

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equipped with state-of-the-art cardiac equipment and with the necessary medical
supplies. This specialized cardiac care more often than not is costly and not
accessible to many Filipinos living outside of the greater Metro Manila. For instance,
the PHC, which is the country’s specialty hospital for heart diseases, reported around
15,000 admissions every year. Fifty-five percent (55%) of which came from the
greater Metro Manila area while the forty-five percent (45%) were from the rest of
the country.

The above data would indicate that Filipinos living near the metropolis have
the greater advantage in accessing specialized care from the Philippine Heart Center.
Meanwhile, patients coming from the rural provinces were to some extent, deprived
of the same quality of cardiac care that the specialty hospital provides or spend a
fortune to travel to Manila for treatment of complex cardiovascular cases.

It is in this regard that this bill aims to create one Regional Heart Center in
each of the administrative regions in the country. Hence, the government ensures
that equal access and privilege to avail of specialized and quality cardiac care is
extended to a larger population of Filipinos. The Regional Heart Centers shall be
administered by the DOH and may be created within the existing DOH Regional
Hospitals and Medical Centers. The Centers shall be equipped with essential cardiac
care equipment and necessary medical supplies and shall tap the services of
professional heart specialists and other professionals who shall render services at a
subsidized cost.

The creation of these Regional Heart Centers will also unburden the Philippine
Heart Center located in the National Capital Region. It would also allow patients
from the provinces especially those who do not have adequate resources to avail of
immediate and more affordable cardiac care without the need to travel long
distances. Thus, lowering the deaths associated with heart diseases in the long run.

In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

1H G,


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

H. B.No. 2960

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL HEART CENTER IN EACH OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Regional Heart
Centers Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized health services
and to address the increasing incidences of deadly diseases like cardiovascular
illness in the country. It is also the policy of the State to ensure that every region in
the country shall have an equal opportunity to benefit from public specialty
healthcare services. Towards this end, the State shall create regional heart centers
throughout the country.

Sec. 3. Regional Heart Centers. ~ There is hereby created one (1) Regional
Heart Center in each of the administrative regions in the country. The Regional
Heart Centers shall provide specialized cardiac care services for Filipinos suffering
from cardiovascular diseases with special consideration for the marginalized
members of the society: Provided, That the Regional Heart Centers shall pursue
excellence in developing and establishing the highest level of cardiovascular-related
training and research for physician and paramedical personnel: Provided, further,
That the operation and maintenance of the Regional Heart Centers shall be under
the Department of Health (DOH): Provided, even further, That the Regional Heart
Centers may be created within the existing DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical


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Centers as deemed feasible by the DOH: Provided, finally, That the Regional Heart
Centers shall provide comparable quality of cardiac care as that of the Philippine
Heart Center.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the Regional Heart Centers
shall be charged against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be
necessary shall be included in the subsequent annual General Appropriations Act
under the budget of the DOH.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of this Act.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days following
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
Gazette.

Approved,

//mksbc