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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 173 2

Introduced by Representative Ryan S. Recto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This legislative measure seeks to create one Regional Lung Center in of the
administrative regions in the country. In this way, equal access and privilege is
extended to all Filipinos, regardless of their geographical location.

One of the leading causes of death in the country falls under complications
brought about by lung and chest diseases. Medical conditions such as pneumonia,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis (TB) are among the
top morbidities and mortalities in the country. As of January 2025, lung related
medical conditions affect thousands of Filipinos annually with 25,453 dying from
pneumonia, 13,905 from chronic lower respiratory disease and 12,728 from
Tespiratory tuberculosis.’ Many of these cases occur among the poorer populations,
some remain unreported and untreated due to the lack of medical facilities.

The Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City is the country's premier
specialized institution dedicated for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and
rehabilitation of lung and other chest-related diseases. While it remains the top
specialty center for such cases, its centralized location hinders countless Filipinos
who reside outside Metro Manila from accessing its services due to financial costs
and logistical challenges. It also impedes life-saving specialized pulmonary care as
long-distance travel is not an easy feat for most of our fellow countrymen. This
centralization also means that pulmonologists and other chest experts are forced to
set up shop in Metro Manila, thereby limiting the availability of their expertise in
regional areas.

This piece of legislation is therefore vital to address the challenges relative to
the highly centralized nature of specialized pulmonary care in the Philippines and the
resulting inequities in access for millions of Filipinos.

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

in S. Recto
tative
6" District, Batangas

* Philippine Statistics Authority. https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-causes-death-philippines-provisional-31-
january-2025


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1732

Introduced by Representative Ryan S. Recto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This legislative measure seeks to create one Regional Lung Center in of the
administrative regions in the country. In this way, equal access and privilege is
extended to ail Filipinos, regardless of their geographical location.

One of the leading causes of death in the country falls under complications
brought about by lung and chest diseases. Medical conditions such as pneumonia,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis (TB) are among the
top morbidities and mortalities in the country. As of January 2025, lung related
medical conditions affect thousands of Filipinos annually with 25,453 dying from
pneumonia, 13,905 from chronic lower respiratory disease and 12,728 from
respiratory tuberculosis.’ Many of these cases occur among the poorer populations,
some remain unreported and untreated due to the lack of medical facilities.

The Lung Center of the PI ines in Quezon City is the country’s premier
specialized institution dedicated for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and
rehabilitation of lung and other chest-related diseases. While it remains the top
specialty center for such cases, its centralized location hinders countless Filipinos
who reside outside Metro Manila from accessing its services due to financial costs
and logistical challenges. It also impedes life-saving specialized pulmonary care as.
long-distance travel is not an easy feat for most of our fellow countrymen. This
centralization also means that pulmonologists and other chest experts are forced to
set up shop in Metro Manila, thereby limiting the availability of their expertise in
regional areas.

This piece of legislation is therefore vital to address the challenges relative to
the highly centralized nature of specialized pulmonary care in the Philippines and the
resulting inequities in access for millions of Filipinos.

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

Representative
6" District, Batangas

+ philippine Statistics Authority. https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-causes-death-philippines-provisional-31-
janvary-2025


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1732

Introduced by Representative Ryan S. Recto

AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL LUNG 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 Lung Centers
Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as the policy of the State to
secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized pulmonary care
services and to address the increasing incidences of lung and chest diseases in the
country. Itis 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 lung centers throughout the country.

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


provide comparable quality of pulmonary care as that of the Lung Center of the
Philippines.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the Regional Lung Centers shall be
charged against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for
the implementation of this Act 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 following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
Gazette.

Approved,