TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
)
)
)
SENATE
689
if?rii.T of ii!'I :
25 JUL17 P2:15
RUCillVED BV;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTTVEROS
AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO SET AND APPROVE 
THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With the devolution of health services, only 84 public hospitals nationwide 
remain under the control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH). These 
DOH-retained hospitals complement devolved district and provincial hospitals, as well 
as private facilities, in providing affordable and accessible quality health care to 
millions of Filipinos—aligned with the goals of the Universal Health Care Act.
However, these hospitals often operate at or beyond their authorized bed 
capacities. They face persistent challenges such as limited manpower and constrained 
resources, hindering their ability to deliver the level of care patients need and deserve.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an optimal hospital bed 
occupancy rate of 80% to 85%. Yet, according to a 2020 DOH report, the average 
bed occupancy rate in DOH hospitals reached 131%—far exceeding the recommended 
level.
As a result, it is not uncommon to find patients spilling over into hallways or 
sharing beds—clear indicators of an overburdened and strained public health system.
Currently, a DOH hospital can only increase its authorized bed capacity through 
legislation. This means that any necessary adjustments to improve service delivery 
must compete with hundreds of other bills in Congress. All too often, such measures 
are either not enacted or become outdated by the time they are passed, leaving 
hospitals unable to adapt effectively to growing and shifting demands.
This bill seeks to address that systemic issue. It authorizes the Department of 
Health to administratively determine and approve the authorized bed capacity of its 
retained hospitals. The Department will also be empowered to establish and 
implement guidelines for evaluating and approving such adjustments. This reform will 
enable timely and data-driven decisions regarding hospital capacity—whether
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increasing or right-sizing—to meet actual service demands.
By allowing the DOH to make these changes without the need for legislative 
approval, we eliminate a critical bottleneck that impedes the efficient and effective 
delivery of essential health services.
Ultimately, this measure ensures that DOH hospitals can dynamically respond 
to evolving healthcare needs through a clear, standardized process supported by 
strategic planning and adequate funding mechanisms.
For these reasons, the swift passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
LISA HONTIVEROS 
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
)
)
)
SENATE
689
liOifrr of ■■ ■' 
■' ' '
25 JUL 17 P2:15 
\
RliCEl. J f3V;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO SET AND APPROVE 
THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
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Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "DOH Hospital
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Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act."
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Sec. 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. — This Act shall streamline the
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process for approving changes in the authorized bed capacities and corresponding
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service capabilities of all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
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Sec. 3. Authority to Approve. — The DOH is hereby authorized to adjust
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and approve the authorized bed capacities and corresponding service capabilities of
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hospitals under its supervision and control, taking into consideration the hospitals'
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development plans, catchment population, burden of disease, availability of human
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resources, health care provider networks, and other standards to be determined by
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the DOH.
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The DOH shall, through an administrative issuance, determine the bed capacities and
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service capabilities of DOH hospitals, subject to specific guidelines to be issued and
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promulgated within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 4. Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP). — The
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DOH shall continue to update, develop, and implement the Philippine Health Facility
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Development Plan (PHFDP) to guide the modernization and development of all
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government health facilities, and to facilitate access to capital outlay investments


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through the DOH Health Facilities Enhancement Program and other national 
government capital outlay investment mechanisms.
The Secretary of Health shall include in the DOH's programs the funding requirements 
for the adjustment in bed capacity and service capability of each DOH hospital in 
accordance with the PHFDP and the respective hospital's modernization and 
development plan. Such funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.
Sec. 5. Conversion, Upgrading, and Modernization of DOH Hospitals.
— The DOH shall upgrade and modernize the existing equipment and facilities of DOH 
hospitals to ensure responsiveness to the health needs of the population, consistent 
with their authorized bed capacities and service capabilities.
Sec. 6. Annual Report to Congress. — The DOH shall submit to Congress, 
through the Committee on Health of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Health and Demography of the Senate, an annual report detailing the hospitals 
with approved bed capacities and the corresponding funding requirements.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — The DOH shall 
formulate the IRR of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,