NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of tljC
’22 JUL 12 A9 :01
S. B. No. 305
RECEIVED EV:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY, THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, AND 
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE MARITIME GROUP, BY THE PURCHASE 
AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FLOATING HOSPITALS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As of 2021, the Philippines ranked 8th out of 180 countries most at risk of 
natural disasters.1 Given that fact, the country's archipelagic features make it more 
difficult to deliver help and basic services to people in far-flung areas and remote 
islands. Given that we are an archipelago with more than 7,600 islands, climate 
change and the people's lack of access to emergency and medical facilities could 
aggravate casualties or injuries. The Government's challenge is having world class 
medical and emergency services while many of our provinces, cities, and 
municipalities are still developing.
One way to adapt and innovate amid these obstacles is proposed by this bill, 
which seeks to establish Floating Hospitals under the supervision of the Philippine 
Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine National Police Maritime 
Group (PNP-MG) and the Department of Health [DOH]. These ships may also be the 
first disaster responders to be docked at point areas of the archipelago for prompt 
health services and humanitarian assistance. These hospitals will be capacitated to 
provide primary up to tertiary minimum healthcare services, like general care, 
emergency, intensive care, gynecology, and other surgeries.
These floating ships may also be prepositioned where calamities like super 
typhoons, and the like are predicted to happen in order to mitigate the damage to 
lives and properties possibly caused by these disasters.
Aside from Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Response (HADR), hospital ships 
offer more benefits. First, such ships will empower the medical corps of the PN, PCG, 
and PNP-MG for improved quality services to both their personnel and to the people.
The assurance of having capable and competent medical and emergency 
service is also good for tourism. Modern-day tourists research their destination's 
facilities and capability for emergency services beforehand. While our country no
1https://www.bworldonline.com/infographics/2021/10/05/400911/philippines-ranks-eighth-most-at-risk-
country-for-disasters/
1


doubt has the best beaches, mountain paths, and the like, the challenge is having 
medical and emergency services which are accessible to tourists.
Military and police presence in remote areas could also ward off the presence 
of insurgent groups, resulting in the overall improved security of the areas.
The hospital ship will be a vital tool for immediate disaster response in 
archipelagic nations like the Philippines. Having mobile and active hospitals as such 
could help elevate and advance the delivery of health services within the reach of 
those who live in remote and inaccessible areas of the country.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. B. No. 305
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■22 JUL 12 A9
received BY.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY, THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, AND 
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE MARITIME GROUP, BY THE PURCHASE 
AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FLOATING HOSPITALS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Floating Hospitals
Act".
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. It shall also 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.
It is the policy of the State to modernize the Philippine Navy, the Philippine 
Coast Guard; and the Philippine National Police with the goal of making them highly 
capable and competent agencies, including in the area of emergency services and 
healthcare.
To this end, Congress shall enact laws and programs for the provision of 
accessible healthcare services and the implementation of efficient medical response 
to the People, especially the underprivileged sick, elderly, women, and children in far 
flung areas in times of natural and/or man-made calamities and disasters.
SEC. 3. Purposes and Objectives. - The Floating Hospitals shall have the 
following purposes and objectives:
a. To complement the country's existing medical infrastructure in order to 
provide a more efficient medical service to inaccessible and far-flung areas 
especially in times of natural and/or man-made disasters;
b. To establish, operate, manage, and maintain a mobile hospital that is highly 
responsive to the needs of individuals affected by natural and/or man-made 
disasters, especially in far-flung and underserved areas; and


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c. To improve and develop the country's disaster response and management 
through the provision of immediate medical attention and humanitarian 
assistance during and after the onslaught of natural and/or man-made 
disasters.
SEC. 4. Purchase and Establishment of the Floating Hospitals. - The 
Philippine Navy (PN), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG}; and the Philippine National 
Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG) shall each purchase and establish level 3 floating 
hospitals each under their respective control and supervision. Once established, there 
shall be a floating hospital at any given time for each of the main island groups of 
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Department of Health (DOH] shall assist the agencies in establishing and 
maintaining said floating hospitals.
Immediately after the implementation of this Act and for two (2} years while 
the ships or vessels and the required health facilities undergo the procurement 
process, the personnel of the PN, PCG, and the PNP-MG shall undergo relevant 
training to serve as manpower of the floating hospitals.
SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act of the year 
following its enactment, and every year thereafter.
SEC. 6. Report to Congress. - One (1} year after the implementation of this 
Act and the establishment of the Floating Hospital, the respective heads of agency of 
the PN, PCG, and the PNP-MTG shall submit a written report to Congress containing 
the actions taken to implement the provisions of this Act. They shall report on the 
necessity or desirability of purchasing and maintaining more floating hospitals.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts hereof not affected thereby shall remain 
valid.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to 
the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15] days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,