Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila.

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives
FRANCISCO JOSE F, MATUGAS II and PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Siargao District Hospital, located in the Municipality of Dapa in
Surigao del Norte, was meant to be a Level 1 General Hospital with a bed
capacity of fifty (50). Unfortunately, however, the Provincial Government of
Surigao del Norte cannot provide sufficient funds for its staff, facilities and
equipment. Thus, the hospital has been downgraded to an infirmary with an
existing bed capacity of only thirty (30). It only has three (3) regular doctors. And
while it needs thirty-six (36) nurses, it only has twenty-three (23) at the moment.
The hospital needs an automated blood machine, hemo analyzer, electrolyte
machine, and delivery table, among others.

The poor condition of the hospital has detrimental consequences for those
living on the islands, Sometimes, emergency cases cannot be responded to
adequately and residents have to go to Surigao City for proper treatment. The
problem is compounded by the rise in tourists visiting the islands every year,
some of whom, may also need medical attention.

As Siargao Island is being promoted as the surfing capital of the
Philippines and one of the country’s prime tourist destination, basic services
provided to its resident, most especially health care, should also improve. The
immediate passage of this bill, is therefore, earnestly sought.

PANTALEON )VAREZ FRANCISCO J F. MATUGAS I


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

6
HOUSE BILL no880

Introduced by Representatives
FRANCISCO JOSE F. MATUGAS II and PANTALEON D, ALVAREZ

AN ACT CONVERTING THE SIARGAO DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE
PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE INTO A LEVEL 3 GENERAL HOSPITAL
TO BE KNOWN AS THE SIARGAO ISLANDS MEDICAL CENTER

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

SECTION |, Short Title, ~ This Act shall be known as the “Siargao Islands Medical
Center Act.”

SEC.2. Conversion. — The Siargao District Hospital (“SDH”) in the Province of
Surigao del Norte is hereby converted into a Level 3 General Hospital to be known as the
Siargao Islands Medical Center (“SIMC”), and shall be under the supervision of the
Department of Health (DOH).

For this purpose, the bed capacity of SIMC shall be increased from fifty (50) to one
hundred (100) beds. The increase in bed capacity shall be implemented for a period of not
more than two (2) years from the approval of this Act.

SEC. 3. Objectives. ~The SIMC shall pursue the following objectives:

(a) To provide the Filipino people, particularly in the Province of Surigao del
Norte, with a more affordable, quality and timely hospital care through a more
efficient health service delivery system that prioritizes the needs of the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children, and when
resources are available, provide free medical care to indigent citizens;

(b) To develop the SIMC into a world class Level 3 General Hospital that utilizes
modern and advanced medical technologies;

(c) To promote, encourage and engage in scientific research in the prevention of
diseases and the care and treatment of patients and related activities, including


and conduct of relevant congresses, conventions, seminars, and
conferences;

(d) To encourage and undertake the training of physicians, nurses, medical
technicians, health officers, social workers, and other health professionals on
the practical and scientific conduct and implementation of health and medical
services, and related activities;

(c) To extend other medical services pursuant to the goals, objectives and rules of
the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

SEC. 4. Upgrade of Facilities and Services, ~ The hospital facilities and services of
the SIMC shall be upgraded and increased to conform with and be commensurate to the
increase in its authorized bed capacity as provided in Section 2 of this Act, and to be consistent
with the requirement of modern medical services and its status as a Level 3 General Hospital.

The SIMC shall submit to the DOH its proposed hospital development plan which
includes the future expansion of its scope of services as a specialty hospital that specializes
in a particular disease or condition, or in one type of patient.

SEC. 5. Medical Center Chief. - The Hospital shall be headed by a Medical Center
Chief who is a licensed physician and with experience in hospital administration and
management for at least five (5) years. The Medical Center Chief shall be appointed by the
Secretary of Health.

SEC. 6, Functions of the Medical Center Chi The Medical Center Chief shall be
responsible for the following:

(a) Overall management and administration of the SIMC; and

(b) Formulation of policies, plans. programs, strategies, and its implementation to
ensure the provision of high quality health care and high standards of clinical
training for medical and allied medical personnel.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, the incumbent Chief of Hospital of the SIMC,
if qualified, shall assume the position of Medical Center Chief of the SIMC in an acting
capacity until such time that a duly qualified successor has been appointed.

SEC. 7. Medical and Service Personnel. — The number of medical and service
personnel, maintenance and other operating expenses of the SIMC shall correspondingly be
increased to conform with the provision in Section 2 of this Act. The Medical Center Chief
of the SIMC, in coordination with the DOH, the Department of Budget and Management, and
the Civil Service Commission (CSC), shall determine the additional plantilla positions to be
created and filled up.

SEC. 8. Assistance from Other Government Offices. ~The SIMC may call upon any
department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government, including
government-owned or —controlled corporations, for such assistance as it may need in the
pursuit of its objectives.


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All individuals, entities and institutions are hereby enjoined to render full assistance
and cooperation to the SIMC in the accomplishment of its objectives and activities.

SEC. 9. Tax Exemption. — Any donation or bequest made to the SIMC shall be exempt
from donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross
income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code
of 1997, as amended: Provided, That such donation shall be disposed of, transferred or sold.

SEC. 10. Auditor. — The Commission on Audit shall appoint a representative who shall
be the auditor of the SIMC and such personnel as may be necessary to assist said
representative in the performance of his duty.

SEC. 11. Reports. — The Medical Center Chief of the SIMC shall, within three (3)
months after the end of every fiscal year, submit periodic reports to the DOH as may be
required.

SEC. 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter,
such funds as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ~ Within ninety (90) days from
the approval of this Act, the Secretary of the DOH, in consultation with the Secretary of the
DBM, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder or any provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause.— All laws, decrees, executive orders and other
presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,