TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL -3 P5 :49
SENATE
S.B. No.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11959, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"REGIONAL SPECIALTY CENTERS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the pressing concerns that hinder equitable access to healthcare in our 
country is the uneven distribution of specialty medical services. Many Filipinos residing 
in rural and far-flung areas face difficulties in obtaining specialized medical care due to 
the concentration of specialty facilities in Metro Manila. Further, in 2024, Health 
Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the Philippines has a shortage of 190,000 healthcare 
workers. This includes not only nurses and midwives, but also physicians — the 
backbone of diagnosis, treatment, and medical leadership in every community. 
According to research by the Ateneo School of Medicine dated 23 April 2025, the 
Philippines' physician-to-population ratio stands at 7.92 per 10,000 people, falling short 
of the international minimum standard of 10 per 10,000.
To help bridge this gap. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11959 or the "Regional Specialty 
Centers Act" was enacted last 24 August 2023 to mandate the establishment of 
specialty centers in DOH hospitals across regions. To efficiently augment this measure, 
this bill seeks to mandate the DOH to enter into partnerships or agreements with private 
hospitals to complement gaps in government services and leverage the strengths and 
resources of both public and private healthcare institutions in delivering specialized 
medical services.
Additionally, the shortage of medical health workers poses a significant 
challenge to our healthcare system. Rural and remote areas often face acute shortages 
of healthcare professionals, resulting in inadequate access to medical care with 
specialized fields. Thus, this bill calls for a collaboration between the DOH, private


hospitals, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), private educational institutions, 
and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to address this issue. Incentives such as 
scholarships and loan repayment programs will be employed to encourage medical 
students to pursue internships and careers in underserved specialty centers.
Given the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUl -3 P5 :49
SENATE
S.B. No. 11.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11959, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"REGIONAL SPECIALTY CENTERS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. A new Section 6 is hereby inserted after Section 5 of R.A. No. 
11959 otherwise known as the "Regional Specialty Centers Act" to read as follows:
"SEC. 6. PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVATE HOSPITALS. -
(a) DOH REGIONAL HOSPITALS SHALL ENTER INTO 
PARTNERSHIPS OR AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE 
HOSPITAL/S WITHIN THEIR AREAS TO JOINTLY 
PROVIDE SPECIALTY MEDICAL SERVICES THAT MAY NOT 
BE FULLY AVAILABLE OR ACCESSIBLE IN SAID DOH 
REGIONAL HOSPITALS.
(b) THESE PARTNERSHIPS OR AGREEMENTS SHALL 
PRIORITIZE SERVICE IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS SUCH AS 
BUT NOT LIMITED TO CARDIOVASCULAR CARE, 
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND TROPICAL MEDICINE, LUNG 
CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, NEONATAL CARE, ORTHOPEDIC 
CARE, GERIATRIC CARE, PALLIATIVE CARE, AND OTHER 
SPECIALIZED MEDICAL DISCIPLINES THAT MAY BE 
IDENTIFIED BY THE DOH.
(c) THE DOH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE PRIVATE 
HOSPITALS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL


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ESTABLISH GUIDELINES, PROTOCOLS, STANDARDS, 
AND MECHANISMS FOR THE SELECTION OF PARTNER 
PRIVATE HOSPITALS, INCLUDING THE TERMS OF 
COLLABORATION, SERVICE QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND 
EQUITABLE COST-SHARING ARRANGMENTS."
SEC. 2. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after Section 6 of R.A. No. 11959 to 
read as follows:
"SEC. 7. COLLABORATION WITH MEDICAL SCHOOLS. - THE 
DOH SHALL COLLABORATE WITH THE COMMISSION ON 
HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS, AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 
(SUCs) THAT OFFER MEDICAL DEGREE PROGRAMS.
THE CHED, CONCERNED PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS, AND SUCs SHALL ESTABLISH PROGRAMS 
AND INITIATIVES TO INCENTIVIZE MEDICAL STUDENTS TO 
PURSUE INTERNSHIPS AND CAREERS IN THE CONCERNED 
DOH REGIONAL HOSPITALS, AS MENTIONED IN SEC. 6 OF 
THIS ACT, SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS, LOAN REPAYMENT 
PROGRAMS, AND OTHER INCENTIVES."
SEC. 3. The succeeding sections of R.A. No. 11959 are hereby renumbered 
accordingly.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or provision 
of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,