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Republic of the Philippines ‘a
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES iS RECEIVED
Quezon City E_ DATE July 6, 2022
NINETEENTH CONGRESS —\\_5,_ TIME _494pm
First Regular Session . BY Li

HOUSE BILL NO. 1437

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE JOSE MARIA R. ZUBIRI, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

When the health sector of the government was overwhelmed in the early years of the
pandemic, it was seen that the private sector was wanting in supplying the needed
medical-grade air to hospitals, clinics and even households.

‘Since the current pandemic primarily attacks the respiratory system, news and reports of
oxygen tank and oxygen supplies ran low. With such commodity not common in the
provinces, it is the people who needed it most who were struck with this insufficiency.
We came to know that not all hospitals—most of them—do not have the capacity to
produce their own oxygen hospital-wide, and oxygen tank supplies were not foreseen to
accommodate the huge number of cases brought about by the pandemic.

The experience we had opened our eyes that the government should have its own oxygen
facility to ensure the needs of hospitals and clinics. This is especially true with the fact
that the pandemic will not be over soon.

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

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1437

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE JOSE MARIA R. ZUBIRI, JR.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN OXYGEN PRODUCTION FACILITY IN MARAMAG,
BUKIDNON, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND OTHER PURPOSES:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides
that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them. Related to this is the right of the people to be provided by
the State of proper health facilities and access to medical care.

Section 2. Establishment of Oxygen Production Facility. - An oxygen production facility is
hereby established in Maramag, Bukidnon tasked to harness, produce and store medical-
grade oxygen to supply the hospitals and clinics in the province for a reasonable fee.

Section 3. Maintenance. - The oxygen production facility shall be managed and improved
by the Local Government of Maramag. Maintenance and operation to ensure medical-
grade quality shall be in coordination and advisement with the Department of Health.

Section 4. Specifications. — The specifications for the oxygen production facility shall be
provided by the Department of Health to ensure medical-grade quality.

Section 5. Appropriations. — The appropriations needed to establish the oxygen
production facility shall be taken out of the current budget of the Department of Health.
A separate budget to accomplish this endeavor to completion shall be appropriated for
this purpose in the next General Appropriations Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision
of this Act shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,