EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 ^ 5 6
Senate
of tijr ^ rtrrtn i})
20 
FEB 17 P5 Ol
RECc;. 0  3V:
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL 
FROM ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED BEDS (1,500) TO TWO 
THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED BEDS (2,200) AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since the establishment of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in 1907 by 
virtue of Act No. 1688 passed by the Philippine Commission, it has served not only as 
a beacon of hope for Filipinos, particularly the marginalized, seeking professional 
medical attention but also as a training ground for some of the best and brightest 
medical students and professionals in the country. In fact, today, PGH is dubbed as 
the biggest modern government tertiary hospital in the Philippines and the only 
national referral center for tertiary care.
Since it caters to mostly indigent patients, hundreds of Filipinos flock to the 
hospital as it offers a wide range of services. As a result, PGH reports that it serves 
more than 600,000 p>atients yearly. And with limited bed capacity -  1,100 public beds 
and 400 private beds -  PGH is constantly challenged to provide every patient the 
needed medical service and care.
As an example, in a 2019 news report, PGH stated that around 250 patients a 
day visit their emergency room alone which -  due to recent renovation efforts -  only 
has 25 beds for patients. Consequently, every day is a constant struggle not only for 
the patients and their families but also for the health care workers -  most of whom 
have sacrificed better paying positions in private hospitals in order to serve our most 
vulnerable.


With these in mind, this measure aims to ease to the burden of PGH as it will 
allow them to expand their facilities in order to cater to more who seek medical 
attention. As the country's apex hospital dedicated to our poorest of the poor, the 
government should extend any and all possible support.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1356
Senate
of lllf &Ptrrtnrp
20 
TB 17 P5 '3l
RECE.' 
nS>;
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL 
FROM ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED BEDS (1,500) TO TWO 
THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED BEDS (2,200) AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. The authorized bed capacity of the Philippine General Hospital
2 
(PGH) is hereby increased from one thousand and five hundred (1,500) to two
3 
thousand and two hundred (2,200).
4 
SEC. 2. The existing hospital facilities and professional health care services of
5 
the PGH, shall be correspondingly upgraded to include the increase in the number of
6 
its medical personnel. The University of the Philippines (UP) shall promulgate the
7 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
8 
SEC. 3. The increase in the bed capacity of the PGH from one thousand and
9 
five hundred beds (1,500) to two thousand and two hundred (2,200) beds shall be
10 
implemented within the period of six (6) months to one (1) year from the approval of
11 
this Act.
12 
SEC. 4. The University of the Philippines, through its approved annual budget,
13 
shall initially provide the necessary funding to support the increase in bed capacity of
14 
the PGH. The entire budgetary requirements of PGH for its operation and the
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upgrading of its facilities and services shall be included in the annual General
16 
Appropriations Act (GAA) the following year of its enactment.


1 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
2 
Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.