TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​ ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​ ) 
First Regular Session​
​
​
) 
HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE 
BILL No. 3525
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Access to essential health care services remains a major challenge. Many 
Filipinos travel from rural areas to nearby cities to seek medical care as most hospitals 
in the country are concentrated in Metro Manila and other urban centers. Aside from the 
hardship of travelling for hours, many patients also resort to queuing the night before or 
as early as dusk just to access the health services they need, as several hospitals have 
daily limits on consultations and diagnostic laboratory slots.  
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Chronic medical conditions 
can be prevented through accessible healthcare and early detection. This underscores 
the importance of investing in making primary healthcare accessible, available, and 
affordable. 
Against this backdrop, this bill proposes the creation of Super Health Centers in 
every city and municipality in the country, envisioned to actualize constitutional policies 
on health. Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that “[t]he State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them.”  
The passage of this bill will help strengthen our primary health care system and 
increase its accessibility to the people. These centers will operate 24/7 and will provide 
various medical services including specialized care, primarily focusing on low-risk, less 
serious or uncomplicated cases. The Super Health Centers can help ease the burden 
on patients who would otherwise need to travel to distant hospitals for basic treatments 
or consultations.  
To date, the City of Taguig has three 24/7 Super Health Centers.1 These have 
licensed doctors, midwives and nurses offering medical check-up, diagnostic laboratory 
services, prenatal check-up, delivery services such as normal spontaneous delivery, 
newborn screening and essential newborn care. Residents of the City of Taguig stand 
as a testament to the feasibility and success of these Super Health Centers, which 
have delivered on its promise of accessible and quality primary care. Many commend 
the convenience and support they receive, especially during medical emergencies. 
1 Taguig Super Health Centers https://www.taguig.gov.ph/health/hospitals-and-centers/; 
Note: Data confirmed with CH 
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August 12, 2025
10:40 am


Replicating Super Health Centers in every city and municipality will contribute to 
the national government’s mandate of delivering a comprehensive and accessible 
health care within the reach of the people. The enjoyment of the highest attainable 
standard of health should not only be a constitutional dictum or remain an aspiration, 
but must actually be realized for the benefit of every Filipino.   
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Alan Peter 
“Compañero” S. Cayetano, this bill therefore serves as a counterpart measure. It is for 
the reason stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​ ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​ ) 
First Regular Session​
​
​
) 
HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE 
BILL No. 3525
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF SUPER HEALTH CENTERS IN EVERY CITY 
AND MUNICIPALITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Super Health Centers in 
All Cities and Municipalities Act.” 
Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. – Section 15 of 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.” On the other hand, Section 16 of Article II 
provides that “the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” 
Healthcare that is based on practical, scientifically-sound and socially acceptable 
methods and technology should be made universally accessible to individuals and 
families in every city and municipality in the country. It is therefore the bounden duty of 
the State to build world class but accessible and affordable health and educational 
facilities throughout the country that provide excellent services to the Filipino people.​
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – The following terms and phrases, as used in this 
Act, are defined as follows:​
(a) Primary health services or primary health care – shall mean the initial contact
of an individual with an accessible and coordinated health system to manage health 
problems or issues that are less severe or uncomplicated, including, but not limited to 
the following: (1) diagnosis and treatment of health problems; (2) prevention of health 
problems; (3) early intervention; and (4) managing ongoing and long-term conditions.​
(b) Super Health Center – shall mean an accessible and fully equipped health
hub that delivers primary health services and caters to less severe, uncomplicated or 
out-patient health care services.​
Sec. 4. Establishment of Super Health Centers. – Each city and municipality shall 
establish at least one (1) Super Health Center within its territorial jurisdiction. The Super 
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Health Centers shall have the following minimum standards:​
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(a) Facilities, rooms, and spaces which are accessible, especially to the elderly 
and Persons with Disability, and with appropriate signage;​
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(b) Basic health equipment and facilities appropriate for the provision of primary 
health services; ​
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(c) Availability of commonly-used generic medicines and vaccines; and​
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(d) Data and information management system that shall contain, store, and 
secure the health and other relevant data of the patients, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Data Privacy Act.​
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The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social 
Welfare 
and 
Development 
(DSWD), shall issue guidelines for the proper 
implementation of this Act, and shall provide assistance to cities and municipalities in 
establishing the Super Health Centers.  Medical services provided within the Super 
Health Centers and their providers shall be accredited by the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).​
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Sec. 5. Staffing. – All Super Health Centers established under this Act shall have 
such sufficient number of staffing as determined by the DOH, depending on the 
population of the city or municipality concerned. ​
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The LGU concerned shall hire all Super Health Center staff as job order, casual, 
contractual, or regular employees. Barangay health workers currently serving the city or 
municipality shall be given preference in the hiring under this Act.​
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Sec. 6. Services. – All Super Health Centers established under this Act shall be 
equipped with the most basic facilities that can cater to less severe, uncomplicated, 
and/or out-patient health care services.​
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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the 
approval of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DSWD, the Department of Public 
Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government, shall prepare and issue such rules and regulations necessary to carry out 
the purposes of this Act. 
Thereafter, the DPWH shall ensure the commencement of the creation of Super 
Health Centers within the fiscal year after appropriating the budget therefore. 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act of the year following 
its enactment, and every year thereafter. 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts hereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.  
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.  
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Sec. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. ​
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Approved,  
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