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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4537

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED BED CAPACITY OF THE PIO DURAN
MEMORIAL DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PIO DURAN,
PROVINCE OF ALBAY, FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25) TO FIFTY-FIVE (55) BEDS,
RENATIONALIZING IT, PLACING IT UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Pio Duran Memorial District Hospital, located in the Municipality of Pio Duran,
Albay, is currently authorized for a capacity of twenty-five (25) beds. Despite its limited
capacity, it has long been the hospital of choice for the entire west coast of Albay, serving not
only the municipality of Pio Duran but also the adjacent towns of Libon, Oas, and Jovellar.

‘The hospital likewise provides a vital health access point for patients traveling from the
islands of Ticao and Burias in Masbate Province, who find Pio Duran the most accessible port
of entry to mainland Bicol. For these island communities, as well as for residents along the
westem coastal corridor of Albay, the Pio Duran Memorial District Hospital is often the first
and only point of contact for emergency and inpatient care.

Yet, with only twenty-five beds, the hospital cannot adequately respond to the high
volume of patients it receives. Residents are often forced to endure long waiting times or travel
further to Ligao City, Daraga, or Legazpi City, adding both delay and cost to urgent medical
treatment.

This bill seeks to expand the authorized bed capacity of the hospital from twenty-five
(25) to fifty-five (55) beds, consistent with the Department of Health standards for district
hospitals serving large and dispersed populations. It also provides for the renationalization of
the hospital, placing it under the direct supervision of the Department of Health.

Renationalization will ensure stable funding from the General Appropriations Act,
allow the creation of plantilla positions for doctors, nurses, and support staff, and upgrade


facilities and equipment to meet national standards. This measure will also relieve the
Provincial Government of Albay of the burden of maintaining a facility that serves a catchment
population far larger than the municipality alone.

The expansion and renationalization of the Pio Duran Memorial District Hospital will
thus secure its role as the anchor public health facility for western Albay and its neighboring
island communities. It will make quality and affordable health care more accessible to
thousands of Filipinos, in line with the State’s constitutional mandate to make essential health
services available to all.

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



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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.4537

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED BED CAPACITY OF THE PIO DURAN
MEMORIAL DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PIO DURAN,
PROVINCE OF ALBAY, FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25) TO FIFTY-FIVE (55) BEDS,
RENATIONALIZING IT, PLACING IT UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Expansion of Bed Capacity. The authorized bed capacity of the Pio Duran
Memorial District Hospital in the Municipality of Pio Duran, Province of Albay, is hereby
increased from twenty-five (25) to fifty-five (55) beds.

SEC. 2. Renationalization. The Pio Duran Memorial District Hospital is hereby
renationalized and shall henceforth be under the full administrative and technical supervision
of the Department of Health (DOH). All personnel, assets, records, and liabilities of the hospital
presently administered by the Provincial Government of Albay shall be transferred to the DOH.

SEC. 3. Upgrade of Services and Facilities. The existing facilities and professional
health care services of the Pio Duran Memorial District Hospital shall be upgraded to conform
with and be at par with the standards set by the DOH for a district hospital of fifty-five (55)
bed capacity.

SEC. 4. Personnel. The Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the Department
of Budget and Management, create the necessary plantilla positions and hire additional doctors,
nurses, and support staff to ensure the effective operation of the hospital at its upgraded

capacity.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
‘Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, such
sums as may be necessary for the continued operation of the hospital shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Budget
and Management, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,