Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET AND APPROVE 
THE BED CAPACITY OF ITS RETAINED HOSPITALS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Department of Health runs a total of 70 hospitals all over the 
country: 51 general hospitals and 19 specialty hospitals. These institutions 
provide healthcare services to millions of patients, most of whom are indigent. 
Under the current regulations, government-owned hospitals including 
the DOH hospitals can only expand their service capabilities and bed capacity 
via legislation which normally takes a substantial amount of time.   
With 30,309 daily inpatients, government hospitals are at 131% overall 
bed occupancy rate. This figure translates to 75% of hospitals with bed 
capacity beyond their licensed and authorized authority. 
At this rate, the State’s goal to achieve Universal Health Care through 
affordable and accessible health care is challenged by the capacity of hospitals 
to accommodate the influx of patients as well as the need for adequate 
staffing, infrastructure, equipment and maintenance and operating 
resources.   
To address these challenges, this bill seeks to authorize the Department 
of Health to increase the bed capacity of their hospitals and corresponding 
service capabilities for efficient health service delivery.  
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 
November 7, 2022
8:20 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT  
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET AND APPROVE 
THE BED CAPACITY OF ITS RETAINED HOSPITALS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “DOH Hospital Bed 
Capacity Rationalization Act.” 
SECTION 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. – This Act shall streamline the 
process for approving changes in the authorized bed capacity of all 
Department of Health (DOH) retained hospitals. 
SECTION 3. Authority to Approve. – Authority is hereby granted to the DOH 
to adjust and approve the authorized bed capacity of its retained hospitals. 
Thereafter, the DOH shall, by administrative or department order, increase, 
decrease, or maintain the bed capacity of its retained hospitals, subject to 
specific guidelines that it shall issue and promulgate, within six months, after 
the enactment of this law. 
SECTION 4. Appropriations. – Amounts necessary to implement and carry 
out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the 
Department of Health. 
SECTION 5. Annual Report to Congress – The Department of Health shall 
provide Congress, through the House and Senate Committees on Health, an 
annual report on hospitals with approved bed capacity changes, along with 
the necessary funding requirements. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of 
Health shall come up with the IRR, within three (3) months after the law’s 
effectivity. 
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SECTION 7. 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. 
 
SECTION 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,