Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

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Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

4127

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Rep. Mark O.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The population of the Philippines has reached the 100 million mark in 2015. This
increase in population necessitates a corresponding increase of people needing medical care.
Unfortunately, the current hospital bed to population ratio is on I bed per 1.032 people, far
from the benchmark of | bed: 1,000 population. The lack of bed capacity in public hospitals
is one of the biggest burdens of health facilities. The increase in total admissions is driven
predominantly by expected increase in the size of the population and DOH hospitals continue
to experience occupancy rates exceeding 100%, In 2011 alone, the average occupancy rate
for DOH hospitals was 105%.

The inadequate number of beds led to longer waiting times for patients needing
medical attention and delays treatment. These problems are compounded by shortages in the
number of staff and other resources. The net result is that the health service delivery is
compromised.

Currently, hospitals can only increase its bed capacity through legislation. Given the
long time period for legislations to be approved, this process has not kept pace with the
increasing population growth. Thus, there is a need to expedite the process for increasing the
bed capacity of government hospitals by putting it under the jurisdiction of the DOH which
manages these hospitals in the first place.

While it is recognized that adding beds to the system is just part of the solution,
giving these hospitals additional beds would be a positive step in improving access and care
for patients, The Department of Health has the capacity and expertise to assess gaps in
service delivery, Allowing the Department of Health to administratively determine and
approve the bed capacity as necessary, shall increase the efficiency in the delivery of health
services by ensuring that the bed capacity of hospitals matches that of current demand. It will
also expedite the process of ensuring that all Filipinos especially the poor have access to
essential hospital care,

In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of phjs bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

4127

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Rep. Mark O. Go

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET
AND APPROVE THE BED CAPACITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS.
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

assembled:

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Rationalization Act of 2016."

CTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “DOH Hospital Bed Capacity

SEC, 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. This Act shall streamline the process of approving

changes in the authorized bed capacity and naming of all DOH hospitals.

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the authorized bed capacity of all DOH hospitals. ‘Thereafter, the DOH shall, through an

3. Authority to Approve, Authority is hereby granted to the DOH to adjust and approve

administrative order, determine the bed capacity of DOH government hospitals, subject to
specific guidelines that it shall issue and promulgate, within three (3) months, afler the

enactment of this law.

4. Appropriations, The amount necessary to implement and carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the Department of Health


SEC. 5. Annual Report to Congress. The Department of Health shall provide Congress,
through the House and Senate Committees on Health, an annual report of hospitals with

approved bed capacity, along with the necessary funding requirements,

SEC. 6. lmplementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The Department of Health shall come up
with the IRR within three (3) months after the effectivity of this law.

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27. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified

accordingly,

SEC 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,