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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
INTRODUCED BY TUTOK TO WIN  
PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE SAM “SV” VERZOSA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution mandates the State to protect and promote the right to health 
of the people. While many Filipinos are already benefiting from the Specialty 
Hospitals situated in Metro Manila, such as the Philippine Heart Center created under 
Presidential Decree No. 673; National Kidney and Transplant Institute created under 
Presidential Decree No. 1832; Lung Center of the Philippines created under 
Presidential Decree No. 1823; and the Philippine Children's Medical Center created 
under Presidential Decree No. 1631, these specialty hospitals are usually congested 
and a great number of financially-challenged patients living in far-flung rural areas 
are hampered in accessing the medical services they urgently need from these 
specialty hospitals. 
Thus, it is clear that there is a need to build more specialty hospitals in the 
provinces and in highly urbanized cities to provide accessible, available, and 
affordable specialty care service. 
This bill seeks to establish Regional Specialty Centers in select Department of 
Health-run regional hospitals. It shall ensure that each region has one established 
specialty center. The specialty care services that will be offered in each center shall be 
primarily based on the top burden of disease in the region and significant laws and 
mandates, among others.  
October 14, 2022
4:29 pm
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The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SAM “SV” VERZOSA 
 
 
 
 
         Representative 
 
 
 
      Tutok To Win Party-List
 
 
 
 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
INTRODUCED BY TUTOK TO WIN  
PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE SAM “SV” VERZOSA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING SPECIALTY CENTER IN EVERY REGION AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Regional Specialty 
Care Act of 2022.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them 
by making health services available, accessible, and affordable for all. To this end, the 
State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development 
by providing them specialized health services which shall be available and accessible 
to all Filipinos at affordable cost. 
SECTION 3.  Establishment of Specialty Center in Every Region. - There shall 
be established a specialty center in select Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in 
every region.  
Provided, That the DOH, through its existing regional hospitals, and in 
consultation with the specialty hospitals in the country, shall develop standards for 
the creation of Regional Specialty Centers to increase the accessibility of specialty 
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health care services to patients. 
 
SECTION 4. Regional Specialty Centers Development Plan. -  The DOH, in 
consultation with the stakeholders, shall formulate a ten (10)-year development plan 
that will identify and expedite the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers in 
DOH-regional hospitals. It shall include among others, the following: 
1. Infrastructure- The necessary infrastructure, basic facilities and equipment 
needed for the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers; and, 
2. Personnel- The DOH, in coordination with CSC, shall include the human 
resources needed to run and manage the Regional Specialty Centers. 
 
SECTION 5. Tax Exemptions. -  All donations, contributions or endowments 
which may be made by entities or persons to the Regional Specialty Centers for their 
benefit shall be exempt from income and gift taxes. The importation of medical 
equipment to be used by the Regional Specialty Centers shall likewise be exempt from 
import duties, taxes, and other fees. 
 
SECTION 6. Report to Congress. - Within one hundred twenty (120) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the executive directors of the Regional Specialty Centers 
shall present a report to Congress detailing the development and operational plan of 
said Regional Specialty Centers.  
 
SECTION 7. Sunset Review. - As the need arises or within five (5) years after 
its effectivity, the Congress shall conduct a sunset review of this Act. The term 'sunset 
review' shall mean a systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this 
Act for purposes of determining remedial legislation.  
For this purpose, the Congress shall establish a Joint Congressional Oversight 
Committee composed of five (5) members of each House to be appointed by the Senate 
President and the House Speaker, respectively. 
 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall include in 


 
 
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the Department's program the establishment and operationalization of Regional 
Specialty Centers, the funding of which shall be included in the budget of DOH 
under the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOH, in 
coordination with the specialty hospitals enumerated in Section 3 hereof, shall 
promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act within 
sixty (60) days from its effectivity.  
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in 
full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation. 
 
Approved,