Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2647 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TO 
ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN A DIALYSIS WARD OR UNIT IN THEIR 
RESPECTIVE HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENT TO 
INDIGENT PATIENTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious and escalating global health crisis, affecting an 
estimated 9.1% to 13.4% of the world’s population. Alarmingly, the Philippines faces a far 
graver situation, with a prevalence rate of 35.94%. This serious disparity highlights an urgent 
public health emergency.1 
According to National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) the number of individuals 
undergoing dialysis treatment has reached 64,845 in 2024 , a 22-percent increase from 53,296 
recorded in 2023.2 The increasing number of patients with chronic kidney disease has become 
a national concern due to the burden of the disease and high costs of care. Dialysis sessions 
cost between Php 2,000 to Php 7,000, making it inaccessible to many patients. One Filipino 
dies from kidney failure every hour.3  
These figures highlight the urgent need for 
strengthened government support through establishing regional dialysis centers.  
Article 13 Section 11 of the Constitution provides that, "The State shall adopt an integrated 
and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential 
goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. 
3Media, U. P., & Office, P. R. (2020, December 1).   
https://up.edu.ph/up-webinar-takes-on-the-challenges-of-kidney-disease-and-dialysis-in-a-time-of-covi
d/ 
2 Philippine News Agency (2024). https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252423 
1 Chronic Kidney Disease in the Philippines: A Silent Epidemic 
(2025).https://capitolmedical.com.ph/articles-and-blogs/chronic-kidney-disease-in-the-philippines-a-sil
ent-epidemic/ 
July 30, 2025
12:15 pm


Hence, it is a constitutional mandate that health services shall be available to all the people at 
affordable costs. This bill seeks to establish dialysis centers in all regional government 
hospitals across the country. Once established, these centers shall provide dialysis treatment 
free of charge to indigent Filipinos. 
In view of the foregoing,  immediate approval of the bill is earnestly sought. 
 MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
  Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2647 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
 AN ACT REQUIRING ALL   REGIONAL  HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE 
AND MAINTAIN A DIALYSIS WARD OR UNIT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE 
HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENT TO INDIGENT 
PATIENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Regional Dialysis Center 
Act.”. 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to improve the 
delivery of health services to the people and to ensure hospital facilities are available, 
affordable and accessible to the people. The State further endeavors to provide free medical 
care and assistance to its indigent or pauper citizens.” 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
a.
Regional Government Hospital – refers to a hospital operated and maintained either
partially or wholly by the national government or by any department, division, board
or other agency thereof;
a.
Indigent Patient – refers to patient who has no visible means of income, compensation
or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, or whose
income is insufficient for family subsistence, as determined by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
Section 4. Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of a Dialysis Ward or Unit. –
Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act,  all regional hospitals are hereby 
required to establish, operate and maintain a dialysis ward or unit in their hospital. The 
dialysis ward or unit shall be equipped with complete dialysis machine, equipment and 
supplies. 


 
Section 5. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients. – Dialysis treatment in all 
regional hospitals shall be provided free of charge, without limit, to indigent patients as 
defined in Section 3 (d) hereof. 
 
Section 6. Penal Provisions –  
 
(a) A public official or employee who commits the following acts shall, after due 
notice and hearing, suffer the corresponding penalties as herein provided: 
 
(1) Commits an unethical and fraudulent act or abuse of authority, shall be 
suspended for three (3) months without pay for the first offense and dismissal from 
service for the succeeding offense; 
 
The abovementioned administrative penalty shall be without prejudice to the 
filing of criminal charges under Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the 
“Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” and existing penal laws. 
 
(b) Any person who commits fraud or misrepresentation as to his/her indigency or 
financial incapacity shall render the assistance void and shall make the person liable for twice 
the amount of assistance provided and suffer the penalty of imprisonment from six (6) months 
to not more than two (2) years 
 
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of DOH shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.  
 
Section. 8. Appropriations. – Such amount as may be necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the government hospital’s annual appropriations. 
 
Section. 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
effect. 
Section. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,