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Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HousE BILL NO. EL
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Introduced by Representative JOSHPHINH VERONIQUE "Jaye" R. LACSON-NOEL
AN ACT
REGULATING THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 0F COMMUNITY-
BASED PHYSICAL THERAPY REHABILITATION
CENTHRS IN THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Philippines, there is a high prevalence of disability in our population. In 2016, around
12%  of Filipinos  aged   15  years  and  older  experienced  severe  disability  while  23°/o
experienced  mild  disability. 1  Unfortunately,  the  expensive  cost  of modem  healthcare
practices and inadequate disability services for operation, maintenance and rehabilitation
in  the  Philippines   force  some  Filipinos  to  depend  on  traditional  healing  practices,
commonly known as fez./o/ or /c7wcrs,  leaving them with untreated and worsened condition
over time.
Despite countless endeavors of both the administration and our country' s health department
to improve health care services, facilities and infrastructures to provide accessible health
unit and early proper diagnosis and recommendation to specialized medical practitioner
and  hospital  for  operation,  medication  and  rehabilitation,  there  is  no  increase  in  the
understanding of the situation of people with disabilities in the Philippines, their well-being
and access to the community between people with and without disabilities. 2
It is imperative for the government to prioritize the urgent medical, health and holistic care
of those with temporary disability, more so, those with permanent disability who cannot
afford to pay for hospital visits and treatments. Through the regulation of operation and
maintenance of community-based physical therapy rehabilitation centers in the country, it
is the fervent hope of this bill to bridge this gap in our system. As based on a study, having
1  National  Disability Prevalence Survey,  Philippine Statistics Authority, 2019.
2 Rapid  assessment of disability in the Philippines:  understanding prevalence, well-being, and access to the
community for people with disabilities to inform the W-DARE project,  Manjula,  M.  Et. Al.,  2016.
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a disability was reported as one of the barriers for people with disabilities participating in
work, community meetings, religious and social activities. 3
Let us strengthen our work force to further our current socioeconomic developments.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is sought.
JOSEPHINE VERONI
Representative
Malabon City, Lone District
3  Rapid assessment of disability in the Philippines:  understanding prevalence, well-being, and  access to the
community for people with  disabilities to inform the W-DARE project,  Manjula,  M.  Et. Al.,  2016.
2


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Batasan Hills,  Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HousE BILL NO. EL
Introduced by Representative JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE "Jaye" R. LACSON-NOEL
ANACT
REGULATING THE OPHRATION AND MAINTENANCH OF COMMUNITY-BASHD
PHYSICAL THERAPY REHABILITATION CHNTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Be  it  enacted by the  Senate  and the  House  Of Representatives Of the  Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Tittle. This Auct shdrl be krLown as the "Community-Based Physical Rehabilitation
Centers Act Of 2024"
SEC.  2.  DecJ¢r¢#.o# a/Pt}JI.cj?.  It is the policy of the State to protect, promote and ensure the
availability   of  community   based   physical   therapy   rehabilitation   centers  that   are   properly
managed  with  adequate  personnel  and  resources,  with  effective  and  efficient  performance
through compliance with quality standards.
SEC.  3.  Establishment Of Pkysical Therapy  Rehabilitation Center  (PTRC). There .\s heresy
established  in  all  capital  cities  of provinces,  highly  urbanized  cities,  and  other  strategic  areas
throughout the country Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Center which shall be community-based
and maintained through the cooperation of their respective Local Government Units qGUs) and
the Department of Health  (DOH).  The DOH  shall  accredit each  of the rehabilitation center to
maintain  quality  medical  services.  Medical  employees  shall  be  maintained  by  the  Regional
Offices of the DOH while non-medical employees shall be maintained by the respective LGU.
SEC.   4.   Community-Based   Physical   Therapy   Rehabilitation   ltograniL   Ewe;ry   C;rty   or
Municipality  shall  establish  a  Community  Based  Physical  Therapy  Rehabilitation  Program,
referred to as the "Program".  The program  shall be a comprehensive government program that
will  carry out a consolidated model  of treatment in the community with  services ranging from
diagnosis to treatment.
Eec.  5. 4d"I."I.sfrflf±.o" a/ £fee P7R f}.ogrm!m  The administration of the PTR program  shall be
the  responsibility  of the DOH through  its Regional  Offices.  The  Secretary  of Health  shall,  in
consultation  with  proper  NcOs  concerned  and  leading  physician  in  the  country,  promulgate
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the necessary guidelines for the creation
and implementation of the program.
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See. 6. Roles Of Local Government Units ajGUs) and the Departi!nent Of Health (DOH). Upon
the  request of the LGUs which  do not have  existing PTRC,  the establishment,  operation and
maintenance  thereof shall  be  undertaken  by  the  DOH.  The  DOH  shall  enter Memodanda  of
Agreements (MOA) with the concerned LGUs for the establishment of their respective areas.
It shall be the responsibility of the DOH to:
a.    Provide for the necessary equipment and supplies as well as the necessary physician and
assistants of physician if needed.
b.    Conduct the necessary training, briefing and assessment of the physicians assigned in the
PTRC.
c.    Undertake,   monitor,   assess   and   evaluate   the   Community-Based   Physical   Therapy
Rehabilitation Program.
It shall be the responsibility of the LGUs to:
a.    Construction   of  an   adequate   facility   wherein   therapy   and   rehabilitation   shall   be
conducted.
b.    Ensure that the construction of the said facility shall be on the DOH quality level.
c.    Provide funds for the construction of said facility.
d.    Responsible for the maintenance of the PTRC facility in their respective jurisdictions.
SEC.  7. ,4pproprrdfI.o#§.  The amount necessary for the implementation of this program shall be
charged against existing appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, the amounts needed for the full
implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the DOH in the succeeding annual
General Appropri ati ons Act.
EEC.  8.  Scpflrm[bz.Jrty  C7flwse.   If for  any  reason  any  provision  of this  Act  is  declared  to  be
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in
full force and effect.
SEC.  9. Repe¢/I."g CJ¢wse. AIl other laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act or its purposes are hereby
amended or modified accordingly.
SEC.  JO. E/Tecfro.fy CJ¢wse.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of
its  publication  in  the  Official  Gazette  or  in  at  least  two  (2)  national  newspapers  of general
circulation.
Approved,
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