Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4637

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative DAVID ‘JAY-JAY?

SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees the right of every Filipino to reliable and decent healthcare.
A rapidly growing and aging population however demands the adequate facilities and services are readily
available especially to the most vulnerable. In addition, the pandemic has also revealed gaps in the public
health system which need to be properly addressed.

In the case of the Province of Quezon and the City of Lucena, there is a pressing need to establish a hospital
which will expand and augment the reach of the constrained hospital care system. This proposed primary
health care facility thus us envisioned to become a center of crisis response in health emergency situations
and shall maintain a reliable and well trained pool of health specialist and medical professionals responsive
to the needs of all of our citizens in remote and rural areas.

Apart from the common goal of the authors to provide longer term interventions for the issues mentioned
above, the welfare of our indigent citizens is also of utmost priority. Considering the economic impact of
the last two years of lockdowns, coupled with continuing inflation and recession, the question of access to
public healthcare facilities should be the least concern of our constituents. The hospital thus will become
an integral part of that crucial socio-economic safety net that should be amply provided by government.

Hence, this proposed bill to establish the Lucena City Hospital, Province of Quezon is both timely and
necessary to bring the public health care system to those who need it the most at this very critical time.

Thus, itis hoped that the Lucena City Hospital will be given the priority it deserves in the Congress.

It is for this reason that the approval of this measure is respectfully sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

wv]
House Bill No. 4637

Introduced by Representative DAVID ‘JAY-JAY’ C. SUAREZ

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING IN THE CITY OF LUCENA, QUEZON PROVINCE, A CITY HOSPITAL TO
BE KNOWN AS THE LUCENA CITY HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established in the City of Lucena, Province of Quezon, a tertiary
general hospital to be known as the Lucena City Hospital, which shall be under the direct control and
supervision of the Department of Health.

SECTION 2. The Department of Health shall manage the LCH, and prepare, in consultation with
the City Government of Lucena, a hospital development plan aligned with the Philippine Health Facility
Development Plan. Any future increase in bed capacity, health care facilities, service capability, and human
resource complement shall be based on the hospital development plan.

SECTION 3. The Department of Health shall provide the funding for the operations and
maintenance of the LCH which shall be included in the budget of the Department of Health under the 2024
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4. If any provisions or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts
or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in newspaper or general circulation.

Approved,