NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 1361
^eutitc
ot tl)f &:crrtarp
*22 OCT-4 P1:09
RECEIVED B'>
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
CREATING A REGIONAL HEART CENTER IN EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE 
REGIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The World Health Organization (WHO) tags cardiovascular diseases as the 
number one cause of death in the world. The annual global death toll from such 
diseases reaches around 17.9 million, which is equivalent to three for every ten deaths 
reported.1
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that despite the health risks 
brought about by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, heart diseases are still the leading 
cause of death in the country. During the said year, around 150,000 died of heart 
diseases translating to 17 deaths every hour.2 Furthermore, according to the Philippine 
Heart Center, the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the country has remained the 
same for many years - 47.5% per 100,000 population die because of a heart attack 
while 25% die of hypertension and other forms of heart disease.3 Cardiovascular 
diseases were also number five on the list of deadly diseases affecting Filipino 
children.4
1 World Health Organization. 11 June 2021. Cardiovascular diseases, https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact- 
sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds).
2 Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. http;//www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/library-health- 
news/4123-cardlovascular-dlsease-is-stlll-the-country-s-top-klller-read-more-http-llfestyle-inqulrer-net-178609-cardlovascular- 
dlsease-is-stlll-the-countrys-top-killer-lxzz3khgjk4zu-follow-us-lnquirerdotnet-on-twltter-inquirerdotnet-on-facebook.
3 Philippine Heart Center. Our Transformation Pathway, http://www.phc.gov.ph/igg/index.php?p=commitment&s=pathway.
4 Ibid.


The vulnerability of the human heart requires specialized cardiac care that is 
performed only by professional and trained heart specialists, in a facility that is 
equipped with state-of-the-art cardiac equipment, and with the necessary medical 
supplies. This specialized cardiac care more often than not is costly and not accessible 
to many Filipinos living outside of the greater Metro Manila. For instance, the PHC, 
which is the country's specialty hospital for heart diseases, reported around 15,000 
admissions every year. Fifty-five percent (55%) of which came from the greater Metro 
Manila area while the forty-five percent (45%) were from the rest of the country.
The above data would indicate that Filipinos living near the metropolis have a 
greater advantage in accessing specialized care from the Philippine Heart Center. 
Meanwhile, patients coming from rural provinces are to some extent deprived of the 
same quality of cardiac care that the specialty hospital provides. They also have to 
spend a fortune to travel to Manila for the treatment of complex cardiovascular cases.
It is in this regard that this bill aims to create one Regional Heart Center in each 
of the administrative regions in the country to ensure that equal access and privilege 
to avail of specialized and quality cardiac care is extended to a larger population of 
Filipinos. The Regional Heart Centers shall be administered by the Department of 
Health (DOH) and may be created within the existing DOH Regional Hospitals and 
Medical Centers. The Centers shall be equipped with essential cardiac care equipment 
and necessary medical supplies and shall tap the services of professional heart 
specialists and other professionals who shall render services at a subsidized cost.
The creation of these Regional Heart Centers will not only unburden the 
Philippine Heart Center located in the National Capital Region but will also improve the 
access of patients from provinces to avail of immediate and affordable cardiac care. 
This is to achieve our ultimate goal of lowering the deaths associated with heart 
diseases in the long run.
In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought
OBINHOOD PADILLA
Senator


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. No.
^euatf
of t!)P Siffrpt.u;)
72 OCT-4 PI :09
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
CREATING A REGIONAL HEART CENTER IN EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE 
REGIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 "Regional Heart Centers
Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized health services 
and to address the increasing incidences of deadly diseases like cardiovascular illness 
in the country. It is also the policy of the State to ensure that every region in the 
country shall have an equal opportunity to benefit from public specialty healthcare 
services.
Sec. 3. Regional Heart Centers. — There is hereby created a Regional Heart 
Center (RHC) specialized in cardiac care services for Filipinos suffering from 
cardiovascular diseases in each of the administrative regions in the country, as follows:
a) Region I - Ilocos Region;
b) Region II - Cagayan Valley;
c) 
Region III - Central Luzon;
d) National Capital Region;


1 
e) Region IV A - Cavite, Laguna, 
Batangas, 
Rizal, 
and Quezon
2 
(CALABARZON);
3 
f) Region IV B - Mindoro Occidental, 
Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque,
4 
Romblon, and Palawan (MIMAROPA);
5 
g) Region V - Bicol Region;
6 
h) Region VI - Western Visayas;
7 
i) 
Region VII - Central Visayas;
8 
j) Region VIII - Eastern Visayas
9 
k) Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula;
10 
I) 
Region X - Northern Mindanao;
11 
m) Region XI - Davao Region;
12 
n) Region XII - (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and
13 
General Santos (SOCCSKSARGEN);
14 
o) Region XIII - Caraga Region;
15 
p) Cordillera Administrative Region; and
16 
q) Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
17 
Sec. 4. Functions of the RHC — Within its respective region, every RHC shall
18 
have the following powers and functions:
19 
a) To promote, encourage and engage in scientific research on the
20 
prevention of cardiovascular diseases;
21 
b) To organize sponsorship and conduct of relevant congresses, conventions,
22 
seminars, and conferences related to the care and treatment of heart
23 
patients and related activities;
24 
c) To pursue scientific researches on the biological, demographic, social,
25 
economic, eugenic, and physiological aspects of cardiovascular disorders
26 
and abnormalities and their control and, thereafter, gather, compile, and
27 
publish the findings of such researches for public dissemination;
28 
d) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and
29 
information on the prevention, treatment, and control of heart diseases;


1 
e) To conduct public awareness on heart disease, general health, and
2 
physical fitness, especially on human cardiovascular requirements and
3 
other relevant or related fields;
4 
f) To undertake the training of physicians, nurses, medical technicians,
5 
health officers, and social workers on the practical and scientific conduct
6 
and implementation of cardiac services, and related activities;
7 
g) To assist universities, hospitals, and research institutions in their studies
8 
of cardiovascular anomalies, to encourage advanced training on matters
9 
of, or affecting the heart, and related fields and to support educational
10 
programs of value to general health;
11 
h) To encourage the formation of other organizations on the national,
12 
provincial, city, municipal, or barangay level and to coordinate their
13 
various efforts and activities for the purpose of achieving a more effective
14 
programmatic approach to the common problems relative to the
15 
objectives herein enumerated; and
16 
i) To extend medical and cardiological services to the general public, to help
17 
prevent, relieve or alleviate the innumerable cardiovascular afflictions and
18 
maladies of the people especially the poor and less fortunate in life,
19 
without regard to race, creed, color, or political belief.
20 
Sec. 5. Accessibility to Marginalized and Indigent Patients. — The RHC shall be
21 
accessible to indigent patients and promulgate rules in providing free medical services
22 
to indigent patients.
23 
Sec. 6. Establishment of RHC — The Department of Health (DOH) shall
24 
establish, operate, and maintain RHC in every region. The RHC may be created within
25 
the existing DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers as deemed feasible by the
26 
dOH.
27 
In consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the
28 
dOH shall determine the organizational structure, necessary position qualifications,
29 
and standards for its personnel following civil service laws, rules, and regulations.


1 
Sec. 7. Excellence In Service. — The Regional Heart Centers shall pursue
2 
excellence in developing and establishing the highest level of cardiovascular-related
3 
training and research for physician and paramedical personnel.
4 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this
5 
Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the Regional Heart Centers shall be
6 
charged against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
7 
shall be included in the subsequent annual General Appropriations Act under the
8 
budget of the DOH.
9 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety days (90) after
10 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management
11 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
12 
of this Act.
13 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
14 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
15 
remain in force and effect.
16 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
17 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions
18 
of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
19 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
20 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,