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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1843

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine health sector is ailing, brought about by a host of problems,
primary of which are rapidly increasing population, the inadequacy of health
programs and facilities, and the steady increase in the exodus of health care
professionals to richer countries where they are greatly rewarded (financially) for
their services. There is an inverse relationship between the growing number of
people and the continued decrease in the number of doctors and nurses to serve
the communities.

A staggering problem affecting the nation requires a more concentrated
approach, starting at the level of the local government units. After all, it is these
units that are in close contact with the people and as such, are more aware of the
needs of their constituents. Given this fact, the LGU's are in a good position to
propose and/or implement health programs depending on the needs of
communities. Also, they have operating funds (the internal revenue allotment or
IRA) to utilize for the aforementioned purpose.

This bill seeks to amend section 287 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise
known as the Local Government Code of 1991, to compel local government units
to set aside fifteen percent (15%) of their annual IRA for health programs. They
would also have to furnish the Department of Health (DOH) with plans for these
initiatives. This bill is based on the premise that the overall health of the nation
depends on the health of its cellular structures as embodied by the LGU's and
the communities they govern.

Given the importance of this bill, its immediate passage is earnestly
sought.

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MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative, 1" District

City of Marikina


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 1843

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO,

AN ACT
COMPELLING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO SET ASIDE AT
LEAST FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THEIR ANNUAL INTERNAL REVENUE
ALLOTMENTS FOR LOCAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 287 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160

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

Section 1. Section 287 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, is
hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 287. Local Development Projects AND HEALTH
PROGRAMS. - Each local government unit shall appropriate in its annual
budget no less than twenty percent (20%) AND FIFTEEN PERCENT
(15%) of its annual internal revenue allotment for development projects
AND HEALTH PROGRAMS, RESPECTIVELY. Copies of the
development plans AND HEALTH PROGRAMS of local government units
shall be furnished the Department of the Interior and Local Government
AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, RESPECTIVELY.”

Sec. 2. The Departments of Finance (DOF), Budget and
Management (DBM) and Health (DOH) shall jointly issue the necessary
tules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 3. All laws, presidential decrees, executive issuance, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof, found inconsistent with this Act are
hereby expressly repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 4. If, for any reason whatsoever, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other
provisions not declared as such.

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and fifteen (15)

days following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,