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Republic of the Philippines [> oyrp, JUL 3.1
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3302

Introduced by: Representative Florencio Gabriel G. Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In June 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority released a report of their 2015 Census of
Population showing a growth rate of 1.36 percent in the Province of Northern Samar which has
a population size of six hundred thirty-two thousand (632,000), third in the Eastern Visayas
Region. Furthermore, the Municipality of Catarman has the largest population size in the
Province of Northern Samar which is composed of ninety-four thousand and thirty-seven
(04,037) individuals. Due to lack of family planning, growth rate tends to proliferate and cause
a rapid increase in population. This underlying problem and its associated economic issues
pose emerging health risks that needs to be addressed immediately.

Accordingly, the Province of Northern Samar only has ten (10) hospitals, four (4) of which are
located in the Municipality of Catarman. Considering population growth, the total of one
hundred fifty-one (151) hospital beds in the Municipality of Catarman is not adequate with the
demand of medical and hospital facilities of the municipality itself and its neighboring towns.

In line with Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution which provides that, “The State
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them.”; and Section 11 of Article XIII which states that the “State shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost”;
a Medical Center shall be established in the Municipality of Catarman to cater the increasing
health concerns of the people in the Province of Northern Samar. Additionally, the Medical
Center shall be composed of advanced medical and surgical facilities to become more
responsive with the health needs of the Province and be in cognizance with the Universal
Health Care Act to “ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and
affordable health care goods and services, and protected against financial risk.”

This bill seeks to create a facility to be known as the Catarman Medical Center to be located in
the Municipality of Catarman with a minimum capacity of one hundred (100) beds and shall
be administered by the Local Government Unit of Catarman, Northern Samar.

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

FLOI CIO GABRIEL G. NOEL

‘An Waray Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3302

Introduced by: Representative Florencio Gabriel G. Noel

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
CATARMAN, PROVINCE OF NORTHERN SAMAR, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established a tertiary general hospital, known as Catarman Medical
Center with a minimum capacity of one hundred (100) beds, to be located at the Municipality
of Catarman. The Catarman Medical Center shall be under the administrative and technical
supervision of the Local Government Unit of Catarman, Northern Samar.

SEC 2. The Municipality of Catarman in the province of Northern Samar shall provide funding
for the establishment, operation and maintenance of the Catarman Medical Center.

SEC 3. The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department’s program the subsidy support
for the capital outlay requirements for the establishments of the medical center, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

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

SEC 5. Alll other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette
or in any two newspapers of general circulations.

Approved,