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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _“"* 1731

Introduced by Representative Ryan S. Recto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This legislative measure seeks to create one Regional Heart Center in each
administrative region across the country to ensure that every Filipino has equitable
access to specialized cardiac care.

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the three major
causes of death in the country from January to August 2023 include ischemic heart
diseases, neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases. From this period, a total of 76,901
cases of death were reported, which represents 19.1% of the total deaths in the
country. This underscores the urgent need for advanced heart care that is currently
disproportionately met by the highly centralized Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in
Quezon City.

The PHC is a Level 4 Government-owned and controlled corporate (GOCC)
specialty hospital accredited by the Department of Health and other regulatory
agencies. The specialty center is a 426-bed-state run hospital specializing in the
treatment of cardiovascular ailments. As the premier cardiac referral center in the
country, it has 14,953 admissions per year and 33,000 new patients by 2014. A
staggering 55% come from the Greater Manila Area, while the rest (45%) come from
various regions across the country.

It can be inferred from the above data that patients who reside in the Metropolis
have better access to specialized healthcare. The absence of advanced cardiac
facilities outside the National Capital Region (NCR) effectively compels patients from
other regions to seek medical consultation from PHC. This situation forces them to
endure additional travel costs, logistical challenges and even life-threatening delays.

Through this measure, we will be able to directly address the critical need for
advanced cardiac care beyond that of Metro Manila. It shall serve as a comprehensive
public healthcare solution to the overwhelming patient load that PHC serves, Most
importantly, it shall significantly address the maldistribution of highly specialized
medical professionals by providing state-of-the-art facilities to other regions.



Ultimately, the measure will not only aspire to alleviate patient travel and
significant financial strain, but also aim to improve health outcomes, reduce mortality
rates from cardiovascular diseases and establish a responsive and accessible
healthcare system for all Filipinos, regardless of where they reside.

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

S. Recto

Representative
6" District, Batangas


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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 1731

Introduced by Representative Ryan S. Recto

AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL HEART CENTER IN EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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 “Regional Heart
Centers Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized health services
and to address the increasing incidences of deadly diseases like cardiovascular
illness in the country. It is also the policy of the State to ensure that every region in the
country shall have an equal opportunity to benefit from public specialty healthcare
services. Towards this end, the State shall create regional heart centers throughout
the country.

SEC. 3. Regional Heart Centers. - There is hereby created one (1) Regional Heart
Center in each of the administrative regions in the country. The Regional Heart Centers
shall provide specialized cardiac care services for Filipinos suffering from
cardiovascular diseases with special consideration for the marginalized members of
the society: Provided, That the Regional Heart Centers shalt pursue excellence in
developing and establishing the highest level of cardiovascular-related training and
research for physician and paramedical personnel: Provided, further, That the
operation and maintenance of the Regional Heart Centers shall be under the
Department of Health (DOH): Provided, even further, That the Regional Heart Centers
may be created within the existing DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers as
deemed feasible by the DOH: Provided, finally, That the Regional Heart Centers shall
provide comparable quality of cardiac care as that of the Philippine Heart Center.


SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the Regional Heart Centers shall be
charged against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
shall be included in the subsequent annual General Appropriations Act under the
budget of the DOH.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after the
effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
Gazette.

Approved,