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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no383 8

Introduced by Representative Carlos Andes Loria

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality in the
Philippines, accounting for more than 35% of all deaths nationwide, according to
the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The Bicol Region is no exception to this alarming trend. In Region V, CVDs such
as ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and stroke are consistently
ranked among the top causes of death, with stroke alone ranking first in the
region’s mortality statistics in recent years.

According to the DOH Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS)
and the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU)-Bicol, the region
recorded over 13,000 deaths due to cardiovascular-related illnesses in the past
five years, with Albay Province consistently contributing a significant share to
this figure. The lack of specialized cardiovascular centers within the region forces
many patients, especially those from low-income and geographically isolated
communities, to travel to Metro Manila or other urban centers for treatment,
delaying care and often worsening their condition.

Albay Province, with a population of over 1.3 million, serves as the regional
gateway and economic center of Bicol. Despite being home to a tertiary DOH
hospital and several provincial health facilities, there is no existing institution
within the province or the region fully dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of heart-related conditions. Access to advanced cardiac diagnostic
equipment, skilled cardiovascular surgeons, and rehabilitation services remains


limited or unavailable at the local level. These systemic gaps contribute to
increased out-of-pocket health expenditures, late detection of cardiovascular
conditions, and higher case fatality rates among Bicolanos.

This proposed measure seeks to address this critical public health challenge
by establishing the Philippine Heart Center for the Bicol Region (PHC-Bicol), to
be strategically located in the Municipality of Daraga, Province of Albay, under
the supervision of the Department of Health. As a constituent specialty hospital
of the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, the PHC-Bicol will be equipped
to provide comprehensive cardiovascular care, including specialized diagnostics,
therapeutic and surgical interventions, emergency cardiac care, post-treatment
rehabilitation, and public health outreach programs.

The Center will also serve as a training ground for local medical personnel,
helping build a sustainable pipeline of heart specialists and skilled healthcare
workers in the region. It will support research and development on cardiovascular
diseases tailored to the health needs and risk profiles of Bicolanos, including
those related to lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental factors.

The establishment of the PHC-Bicol will bring specialized, equitable, and
affordable cardiac care closer to the people of Albay and the rest of the Bicol
Region. It is a vital step toward reducing preventable deaths, improving quality
of life, and fulfilling the constitutional mandate to protect and promote the right
to health of all Filipinos.

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

CAI ES LORIA


anona

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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3838

Introduced by Representative Carlos Andes Loria

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HEART CENTER FOR BICOL
REGION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DARAGA, PROVINCE OF ALBAY,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Heart Center
for Bicol Region Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of all Filipinos and adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development, which endeavors to make essential
health services available to all the people at affordable cost. Towards this end, the

State shall adequately respond to the high incidence of heart disease and other

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cardio-vascular diseases in the country, particularly in the Bicol Region, through
specialized medical services for the prevention and treatment of heart and allied
diseases.

SEC. 3. Philippine Heart Center for Bicol Region. —The Philippine Heart
Center for the Bicol Region, to be known as the Philippine Heart Center-Bicol,
hereinafter referred to as “PHC-Bicol,” is established in the Municipality of Daraga,
Province of Albay, with a bed capacity of at least one hundred fifty (150) and under
the supervision of the Department of Health. The PHC-Bicol shall be administered
by the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the “Board,” of the Philippine
Heart Center as a constituent specialty hospital.

SEC. 4. Medical Director. - The PHC-Bicol shall be headed by a Medical
Director who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon the
recommendation of the Board.

The Medical Director shall exercise the following powers and functions:

a) Execute the policies, guidelines and programs approved by the Board,
and oversee the efficient discharge of management and operational functions:

b) Propose measures, policies, guidelines and programs as may be deemed
necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the purposes and objectives

of this Act for the consideration and approval of the Board;


c) Direct and supervise the management, operation and administration of
the PHC-Bicol, and delegate administrative responsibilities and duties to other
officers of the hospitals;

d) Execute all contracts and agreements that the Board may enter into, and
accomplish and deliver any document relative to such contracts and agreements;

e) Represent the PHC-Bicol in all dealings with other offices, agencies
and instrumentalities of the government, and other persons or entities;

f) Recommend to the Board the appointment, promotion, transfer,
dismissal, and suspension of the officers and employees of the hospitals; and

g) _ Exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be vested
or reposed by the Board.

SEC. 5. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. — The Board shall
determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PHC-Bicol, and
may reorganize the structure, modify the staffing pattem, and create or abolish
divisions, sections or units in the PHC-Bicol, subject to the approval of the
Department of Budget and Management.

SEC. 6. Program for Indigents. — The PHC-Bicol shall adopt and enforce
a program for indigents and allocate not less than forty percent (40%) of the total

number of hospital beds for indigent patients.


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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall, in consultation with the
Board of Trustees of the Philippine Heart Center, formulate and promulgate the rules
and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the establishment, initial
operation and maintenance of the PHC-Bicol shall be charged against the current
Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued
operation and maintenance of the PHC-Bicol shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

The local government units in the Bicol Region may contribute or donate land,
building, equipment and facilities to PHC-Bicol. as may be approved by the
respective Sanggunian.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof, which 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 national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,