Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 1902

Introduced by Hon. Mark O. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The population of the Philippines has reached the 100 million mark in 2015. This increase
in population necessitates a corresponding increase of people needing medical care,
Unfortunately, the current hospital bed to population ratio is on 1 bed per 1,032 people, far from
the benchmark of 1 bed: 1,000 population. The lack of bed capacity in public hospitals is one of
the biggest burdens of health facilities. The increase in total admissions is driven predominantly
by expected increase in the size of the Population and DOH hospitals continue to experience
occupancy rates exceeding 100%. In 2011 alone, the average occupahcy rate for DOH hospitals
was 105%,

The inadequate number of beds led to longer waiting times for patients needing medical
attention and delays treatment. These problems are compounded by shortages in the number of
Staff and other resources. The net result is that the health service delivery is compromised.

Currently, hospitals can only increase its bed capacity through legislation. Given the long
time period for legislations to be approved, this process has not kept pace with the increasing
Population growth. Thus, there is a need to expedite the process for increasing the bed capacity of
government hospitals by putting it under the jurisdiction of the DOH which manages these
hospitals in the first place.

While it is recognized that adding beds to the system is just part of the solution, giving
these hospitals additional beds would be a positive step in improving access and care for patients,
The Department of Health has the capacity and expertise to assess gaps in service delivery,
Allowing the Department of Health to administratively determine and approve the bed capacity
as necessary, shall increase the efficiency in the delivery of health services by ensuring that the
bed capacity of hospitals matches that of current demand. It will also expedite the process of
ensuring that all Filipinos especially the poor have access to essential hospital care.

In view af the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly
reeyiterer oe :


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

1902
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. Mark O. Go

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET AND APPROVE
THE BED CAPACITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS AND FOR. OTHER PURPOSES

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 “DOH Hospital Bed Capacity
Rationalization Act of 2019.”

SEC. 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. This Act shall streamline the process of
approving changes in the authorized bed capacity and naming of all DOH hospitals.

SEC. 3.duthority to Approve. Authority is hereby granted to the DOH to adjust and
approve the authorized bed capacity of all DOH hospitals. Thereafter, the DOH shall, through an
administrative order, determine the bed capacity of DOH government hospitals, subject to
specific guidelines that it shall issue and promulgate, within three (3) months, after the enactment
of this law.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. The amount necessary to implement and carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the Department of Health.

SEC. S.Annual Report to Congress. The Department of Health shall provide Congress,
through the House and Senate Committees on Health, an annual report of hospitals with approved
bed capacity, along with the necessary funding requirements.

SEC. 6./mplementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The Department of Health shall come
up with the IRR within three (3) months after the effectivity of this law.


SEC 7.Repealing Clause, All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
Parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC 8.£ffectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen

(15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general i

circulation.

Approved,