REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES “oS RC

Quezon City, Metro Manila (3 RE CEIVED ®
= Ot UL 2013

DANE

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 668

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public health care is one basic need that must be affordable, effective and
convenient. It is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines that the
“State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.” It is likewise guaranteed that ‘the State shall adopt
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other services available to all
people at affordable cost.”

Republic Act No. 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991
transferred the management and implementation of public health services in the
hands of local governments in the belief that such move will improve delivery of
public services since itis the local government that is more knowledgeable about
the needs of their constituencies. As a result of such devolution, the quality and
coverage of public health services deteriorated particularly in the poor provinces.
According to data gathered by the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), five
out of 10 Filipinos die without receiving medical attention. The average hospital
bill is three times the average monthly income of a worker. With the decreasing
budget for health, the devolution of health services to cash-strapped provinces
and municipalities, and the privatization of government hospitals, the quality and
availability of the basic health services have become inaccessible especially to
the poor and the less privileged.

Catanduanes is a third class province based on its income classification
and its revenues are not sufficient to meet the required cash flow for the delivery
of health services. Patients requiring higher medical care need to go to
mainland Bicol or to Manila due to the lack of facilities in the hospitals in the
province while patients who cannot afford the high cost of medical services have
no choice but to wait for their health to wane without getting proper medical
attention

Based on the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought

CESAR V. SARMIENTO


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

668

Introduced by REP. CESAR V. SARMIENTO

AN ACT UPGRADING THE EASTERN BICOL MEDICAL CENTER (EBMC) IN
VIRAC, CATANDUANES TO A TERTIARY LEVEL HOSPITAL ATTACHED TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

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

SECTION 1. The Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) in Virac,
Catanduanes is hereby upgraded into a tertiary level hospital.

SECTION 2. The upgrading shall provide the provincial hospital in Virac,
Catanduanes with the capability of a tertiary level hospital without increasing the
hospital's bed capacity.

SECTION 3. Upon its upgrading, the Eastern Bicol Medical Center shall
be under the direct control, supervision and management of the Department of
Health.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Health shall issue such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of the Act.

SECTION 5. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations for the
Organizational Adjustment Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for
their continued operation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,