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

TWENTIETH (20) CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 233

Introduced by
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL

AN ACT ESTABLISHING MALASAKIT CENTERS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Access to healthcare is a fundamental right guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution,
which mandates the State to ensure that all Filipinos receive adequate and affordable
medical services. The establishment of Malasakit Centers in public hospitals has
significantly improved the process of availing goverment financial and medical
assistance, particularly for indigent patients. However, many private hospitals, despite
receiving government subsidies or tax incentives, do not have a similar structured
mechanism to facilitate these benefits for financially incapable patients.

This bill seeks to bridge that gap by requiring private hospitals that receive government
funding or incentives to establish Malasakit Centers within their premises. However,
to ensure that the assistance provided through these centers is directed to those who
Need it most, only indigent patients confined in charity wards shall be eligible for
Malasakit Center benefits. The Department of Health, in coordination with PhilHealth
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall develop clear
guidelines for determining indigency status and charity ward admissions to prevent
abuse or misuse of the system.

Additionally, the bill mandates PhilHealth to process and pay claims from private
hospitals within thirty (30) calendar days from the submission of complete
documentary requirements. Failure to comply with this deadline without justifiable
cause shall result in administrative and criminal liability for responsible PhilHealth
officials and employees. This measure ensures accountability, prevents bureaucratic
inefficiencies, and protects both healthcare providers and patients from the negative
effects of delayed reimbursements.

By institutionalizing Malasakit Centers in qualified private hospitals while establishing
clear eligibility criteria and efficient payment mechanisms, this legislation strengthens
the healthcare system's ability to provide timely and equitable medical assistance to
indigent Filipinos.


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

Rep. ROBERW NAZAL
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list


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

TWENTIETH (20) CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 233

Introduced by
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL

AN ACT ESTABLISHING MALASAKIT CENTERS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. TITLE

This Act shall be known as the “Private Hospital Malasakit Centers Act.”

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY

It is the policy of the State to provide accessible and efficient health care services to
all Filipinos, particularly indigent patients, by institutionalizing a one-stop-shop system
in hospitals to streamline medical and financial assistance from various government
agencies. To enhance public-private cooperation in healthcare, this Act mandates the
establishment of Malasakit Centers in private hospitals that receive government
financial assistance or tax incentives.

SECTION 3. SCOPE AND COVERAGE
This Act shall apply to all private hospitals that meet any of the following criteria’

a) Receive government subsidies or financial aid for indigent patient care;

b) Enjoy fiscal incentives such as tax breaks, duty exemptions, or other benefits
from the government;

c) Have a minimum bed capacity of one hundred (100) and cater to at least a
specified percentage of indigent patients annually.


SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF MALASAKIT CENTERS IN PRIVATE
HOSPITALS

a) Private hospitals falling under Section 3 shall establish Malasakit Centers within
their premises to provide a streamlined system for indigent and financially
incapable patients to access government assistance

b) The Malasakit Centers shall:

1

Facilitate financial assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office (PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
PhilHealth, and other government agencies;

Ensure the availability of social workers and patient navigators to assist
indigent patients;

Provide information on medical financial aid programs and assist in
application processes;

Coordinate with government and non-governmental organizations for
further patient support; and

Ensure that only indigent patients confined in the charity wards of private
hospitals shall be eligible to avail of the benefits and financial assistance
facilitated by the Malasakit Center. The DOH, in consultation with PhilHealth
and DSWD, shall establish clear guidelines for determining indigency status
and the criteria for charity ward admission.

SECTION 5. FUNDING AND SUPPORT

a) The DOH, in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and other
relevant agencies, shall allocate financial assistance or provide incentives for
private hospitals that establish Malasakit Centers.

b) Private hospitals may claim reimbursements for services rendered to indigent
patients in charity wards under government-sponsored programs, subject to
verification and approval by the appropriate agencies.

1.

PhilHealth shall ensure that all claims submitted by private hospitals for
services rendered to indigent patients in charity wards shall be processed
and paid within thirty (30) calendar days from the submission of complete
documentary requirements.

Failure to meet this payment timeline without justifiable cause shall render
responsible PhilHeaith officers and employees administratively and
criminally liable under existing laws on graft, corruption, and negligence of
duty. Administrative penalties may include suspension, dismissal from
service, and forfeiture of benefits, while criminal liability shall be subject to


penalties provided under the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and
Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), and other relevant laws.

3. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act shall specify
clear accountability mechanisms for delayed payments, including the
procedures for filing complaints against erring PhilHealth personnel and the
imposition of appropriate sanctions.

c) The government shail explore partnerships with private hospitals to expand
funding sources for the sustainability of Malasakit Centers.
SECTION 6. IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES AND OVERSIGHT

a) The Department of Health (DOH) shall oversee the implementation, monitoring,
and regulation of Malasakit Centers in private hospitals.

b) The PhilHealth, DSWD, and PCSO shall coordinate to ensure smooth facilitation
of assistance programs.

c) ACongressional Oversight Committee shall be created to review and assess the
effectiveness of Malasakit Centers in private hospitals, ensuring compliance and
continuous improvement.

SECTION 7. PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

a) Private hospitals failing to establish Malasakit Centers despite meeting the
criteria under Section 3 shall be subject to:

1 Revocation of government subsidies or fiscal incentives;

2. Monetary penalties (to be determined by the DOH and the Department of
Finance);

3. Other administrative sanctions as may be prescribed by law.

b) Any hospital or official found guilty of misusing Malasakit Center funds or
engaging in corrupt practices shall be subject to criminal and civil liabilities under
existing laws.

SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR)

Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with
PhilHealth, PCSO, DSWD, the Department of Finance, and representatives from the
private hospital sector, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act


SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions
not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. REPEALING CLAUSE

All laws, executive orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY
This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at

least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,