Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 169 _

Introduced by Hon, Kenneth T. Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes to rename the Valenzuela Medical Center, situated in
Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, as the Antonio M. Serapio Medical Center, while also
increasing its authorized bed capacity from five hundred (500) to eight hundred (800)
beds. A similar measure seeking to rename the Valenzuela Medical Center was filed
in the 19th Congress by Representatives Wilfrido Mark Enverga and Eric Martinez.

Originally established in 1979 as the Valenzuela Emergency Hospital, the
institution began as a 25-bed secondary hospital in Polo, Valenzuela. In 1992, it was
upgraded to a 100-bed secondary facility and renamed the Valenzuela General
Hospital. In 1999, through the efforts of then-Congressman Antonio M. Serapio, the
hospital was relocated to its present site in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. It received its
license as a Level IV tertiary hospital from the Department of Health in 2005 and was
subsequently upgraded to a 200-bed tertiary teaching and training hospital through
Republic Act No. 9421. Further expansion was enacted under Republic Act No. 11327,
increasing its bed capacity to 500.

Today, the need for further expansion has become more urgent. Valenzuela
City has been identified as the fastest-growing highly urbanized city in the National
Capital Region, with its population rising from 620,422 in 2015 to 714,978 in 2020,
reflecting an annualized growth rate of 3.03%. With the city’s rapidly growing
population and the increasing demand for accessible, quality healthcare services, it is
high time to expand the hospital's capacity and capability to adequately serve its
constituents.

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This measure not only ensures the hospital can address the present and future
health needs of Valenzuelanos but also formally honors the legacy of Congressman
Antonio M. Serapio—a statesman whose enduring contributions laid the foundation

for the institution's growth.

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

INETH T. GATCHALIAN
Representative
District, Valenzuela City

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _169

Introduced by Hon. Kenneth T. Gatchalian

AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER
FROM FIVE HUNDRED (500) TO EIGHT HUNDRED (800) BEDS, TO BE
NOW KNOWN AS ANTONIO M. SERAPIO MEDICAL CENTER, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The authorized bed capacity of the Valenzuela Medical Center
in the City of Valenzuela, Metro Manila, is hereby increased from five hundred
(500) to eight hundred (800) bed capacity and shall be now known as the Antonio
M. Serapio Medical Center.

SEC. 2, The existing service facilities and professional health care services
of the Antonio M. Serapio Medical Center are hereby upgraded to conform with and
be commensurate to the increase in bed capacity as provided in Section 1 hereof.

SEC. 3. All personnel, records, assets and properties, including buildings,
sites, and improvements thereof, obligations, funds and appropriations of the
Valenzuela Medical Center are hereby transferred to the Antonio M. Serapio
Medical Center.


SEC. 4. Appropriations Clause. — The Secretary of Health shall
immediately include in the Department's programs the implementation of this Act,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 9421 and Republic Act No.
11327 are hereby repealed. All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
and administrative rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are likewise repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,