FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1444 
, 
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OFftCE ,:>,~ -i' 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has been growing as a "medical tourism" destination of choice 
because of our world class physicians, modern technology, and our uniquely Filipino 
brand of caring. Tourists get great value for money and at a fraction of the cost in 
developed countries. We are home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone 
specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. 
We also have some of the world's best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations in this 
part of the earth. 
The government issued Executive Order No. 372 realizing that medical tourism is 
a huge revenue potential industry. According to the International Trade Commission in 
Geneva, Switzerland, it is a $40billion global industry, and expected to grow to 
$188billion in 2013. The EO, issued last October 2004, created a "Public-Private Sector 
Task Force for the Development of Globally, Competitive Philippine Service Industries" 
to promote the development of three service sectors, namely: a) Information and 
Communications Technology; b) Health and WeI/ness; and c) Logistics. 
For the Health and Well ness sector, which now has the "Philippine Medical 
Tourism Program (PMTP)," eleven government agencies were tasked to work together 
to promote the same. 
The different mandates and expertise of each agency are 
supposed to contribute much to the development of the program. Unfortunately, due to 
the number of participating agencies and despite the good intentions of the Executive 
Order, confusion has resulted in the process - by both the agencies involved and by the 
private sector desiring to participate. Like for instance, the participating agencies 
individual roles in the task force, or tl;le private sectors guidelines for accreditation. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to centralize the functions of the Task Force, and to 
integrate most of the different functions of the different agencies pertinent to the PMTP, 
in one office, thus the proposed creation of the Medical Tourism Bureau within the 
Department of Tourism. 
The Philippines needs to compete in the medical tourisms multi-billion dollar 
industry to help uplift the economic state of the country. The Philippines has many 
things to promote in its medical tourism package. Filipino medical practitioners are one 
of the best educated and trained in Asia. They are not only expert service providers but 
are also well known to be warm, sincere and caring. Filipinos are fluent in English and 
medical tourists will not have a problem communicating with their Filipino doctors, 
nurses or caregivers. The Philippines is also home to world-class hospitals like St. 
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Lukes Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital, Medical City and 
Metropolitan Hospital. 
For the Philippines, promoting and advancing our health and well ness sector, 
especially the medical tourism industry, has at least three important implications: the 
acceleration of socio-economic development, earnings in foreign exchange, and 
reversal of the current Qutward migration orientation. This is an incentive for doctors to 
stay and lure back our health workers who had international training. 
There is urgent need to position the country as a medical tourism destination 
now. The sooner that this office is established, the sooner we can achieve our goals. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


, ,'" '. 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1444 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE MEDICAL TOURISM BUREAU WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
TOURISM, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and tlie House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
2 
promote, encourage and develop its health and well ness sector, in particular the 
3 
medical tourism industry, as a major national activity in which private sector investment 
4 
effort and initiative are fostered and supported, and through which socio-economic 
5 
development may be accelerated, foreign exchange earned, and international and 
6 
returning Filipino medical tourists offered a choice of special packages of medical 
7 
services coupled with leisure components. 
8 
Section 2. Statement of Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish at the seat of 
9 
government a bureau whose task wnl be to properly and adequately address the needs 
10 
of foreign tourists as well as Filipino balikbayans and OFWs seeking medical treatment 
11 
in the country, and of the private sector seeking to provide the services for those needs. 
12 
Section 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
13 
herein defined: 
14 
(A) "Medical Tourism" - travel to the Philippines for the purpose of availing 
15 
healthcare services or treatment of illnesses and health problems in order to 
16 
maintain one's health and well-being (DOT, DOH, PEZA 2006). 
The 
17 
concept of this new tourism product is to offer cost-effective medical 
18 
treatments while showcasing tourist attractions in the Philippines. 
19 
(8) "Health and Well ness" -
refers to the sector under which the medical 
20 
tourism industry falls, covers a wide spectrum of services that promote 
21 
physical well-being which ranges from holiday packages bundled with 


1 
2 
everything from spa to cosmetic treatments to cardiovascular surgery; and 
diagnostic services to rehabilitative care. May be used interchangeably with 
3 
the term "medical tourism." 
4 
(C) "Health care facility" means any institution, building, or agency or portion 
5 
thereof, whether public or private (for-profit or nonprofit) that is used, 
6 
operated, or designed to provide health services, medical treatment, or 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
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nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive care to any person or persons. This 
includes, but is not limited to, ambulatory surgical facilities, health 
maintenance organizations, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, 
infirmaries, intermediate care facilities, kidney treatment centers, long-term 
• 
care facilities, medical assistance facilities, mental health centers, outpatient 
facilities, public health centers, rehabilitation facilities, residential treatment 
facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and adult daycare centers. The term also 
includes, but is not limited to, the following related property when used for or 
in 
connection 
with 
the 
foregoing: 
laboratories, 
research 
facilities, 
pharmacies, laundry facilities, health personnel training and lodging facilities, 
and patient, guest, and health personnel food service facilities, and offices 
and office buildings for persons engaged in health care professions or 
services. 
20 
(D) "Health care provider" means any person or entity who provides health 
21 
care services including, but not limited to, hospitals, medical clinics and 
22 
offices, special care facilities, medical laboratories, physicians, pharmacists, 
23 
dentists, phYSician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and other 
24 
nurses, paramedics, firefighters who provide emergency medical care, 
25 
emergency medical or, laboratory technicians, 
and 
ambulance and 
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emergency medical workers. 
27 
Section 4. Creation of the Medical Tourism Bureau - There is hereby created 
28 
a Medical Tourism Bureau under the Department of Tourism. The Bureau shall be 
29 
headed by a Director. 
30 
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Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the Bureau shall draw up the 
32 
plans, programs and poliCies to implement the National Medical Tourism Program, and 
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conduct a briefing for all concerned government agencies. The plan shall serve as the 
34 
framework for the government's medical tourism program. 
35 
36 
Section 5. Powers and Responsibilities of the Bureau - The Bureau shall 
37 
have the following powers and responsibilities, which it shall exercise: 
2 


1 
1. Formulate policies, plans, programs and projects to promote the Medical 
2 
Tourism industry of the country; 
3 
2. Administer, coordinate and supervise all activities of the govemment 
4 
concerning health and wellness; 
5 
3. Advise the Secretary on the promulgation of laws relative to the policy, plans, 
6 
programs and projects designed to promote and develop the health and 
7 
well ness sector and medical tourism industry; 
8 
4. Facilitate the simplification of procedures and regulations for the availment of 
9 
medical services by foreign tourists and retuming OFWs and Filipino 
10 
balikbayans; 
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5. Represent the government in all such conferences concerning health and 
12 
wellness/medical tourism; 
13 
6. Formulate standards for health and wellness/medical tourism-oriented 
14 
establishments that will prescribe minimum levels of operating quality and 
15 
efficiency in order to ensure that facilities, personnel and services are 
16 
maintained in accordance with acceptable local and international norms in the 
17 
operations of tourism-oriented establishments; 
18 
7. Approve the construction standards of accredited health care facilities with 
19 
the assistance of the Department of Health; 
20 
8. Approve the construction standards of accredited medical tourism-oriented 
21 
and -related establishments including hotels, resorts, inns, and other related 
, 
22 
facilities and services and prescribe information reporting on the purchase, 
23 
sale or lease of the said establishments and facilities; 
24 
9. Undertake research studies and surveys for the continuing analysis of 
25 
economic conditions and trends in the global medical tourism field; and 
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maintain a statistical data bank on the health and well ness and medical 
27 
tourism industry; 
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10. Promote the country as a premier Health and Wellness destination through 
29 
international local expositions, fairs and conferences; 
30 
11. Design products and implement programs to encourage private-sector 
31 
investment and participation in health and wellness and medical tourism 
32 
activities and projects; 
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12. Monitor and evaluate plans, programs and projects of the Bureau; 
34 
13. PromUlgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Bureau's 
35 
objectives, policies and functions; 
36 
14.Analyze specific geographic areas with potential medical tourism value and 
, 
. 
37 
encourage private sector investment in these areas; 
3 


I 
15. Enlist the aid, assistance and support of any and all government agencies, 
2 
civil or military, in the implementation of the laws pertaining to the bureau's 
3 
rules and regulations; 
4 
16. Recommend sanctions for criminal liability of those who are in violation of the 
5 
provisions of this Act or any of its rules and regulations promulgated 
6 
pertaining to the medical tourism industry; 
7 
17. Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental 
8 
to the attainment of its mandate. 
9 
Section 6. 
Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Within sixty (60) days from 
10 
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Tourism, upon the recommendation of the Director 
II 
of the Bureau, shall design and recommend for approval of the President the Bureau's 
12 
positions, structure and staffing pattern. The positions hereunder created shall be filled 
13 
with regular appointments. 
14 
Section 7. 
Transitory Provision. - The functions of the Office of Product 
15 
Research and Development, or any such office performing the task, pertaining to health 
16 
and well ness are hereby transferred to the Bureau. 
17 
18 
The functions of the different agencies involved in the Task Force for Health and 
19 
Well ness pertaining to medical tourism, including the accreditation of facilities, granting 
20 
of licenses, are also hereby transfem;d to the Bureau. 
21 
22 
Section 8. 
Appropriations. 
The amount necessary for the effective 
23 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of 
24 
the DOT. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act 
25 
shall be included in the annual budget of the DOT under the General Appropriations 
26 
Act. 
27 
28 
Section 9. 
Implementing Authority. - The Secretary of the Department of 
29 
Tourism shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations, orders and other 
30 
issuances as may be necessary to implement and carry out the intent, objectives, 
31 
purposes and provisions of this Act. • 
32 
33 
Section 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is 
34 
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
35 
force and effect. 
4 


1 
Section 11. Repealing Clause - All other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules 
2 
and regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
3 
amended or modified accordingly. 
4 
Section 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
5 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
6 
circulation. 
7 
8 
Approved. 
5