Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7357

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the prime duty of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. It is also its
solemn mandate to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Health is and should be the most important concern of every society. It is the primary moving
factor which enables every human being to participate in society. Without it, society would be dull and

unproductive.

As part of the State’s policies on health, the government has established numerous public
hospitals across the country in order to serve the needs of the people, especially the marginalized.
However, not all areas have experienced the government's healthcare service.

‘The humble Municipality of Cawayan in the Province of Masbate has a population of about
70,000. As a second class municipality with a meager annual income of about 90 million pesos, Cawayan
sorely lacks funds needed to grow its economy through infrastructure projects. Due to its limited
resources, Cawayan also has limited funds to cater to its people’s healthcare needs. As of present,
‘Cawayan is constrained to devote a huge part of its annual budget in defraying the costs of the Cawayan
District Hospital. As such, Cawayan District Hospital is unable to accommodate and respond to the
‘medical needs of the people, the majority of whom are farmers and fishermen.

In order to better equip Cawayan District Hospital with the necessary equipment and manpower
to fully serve the people of Cawayan, there is a dire need for its conversion into a Tertiary Hospital that
has a more expansive bed capacity and better manpower.

Asa solution to this predicament, it is essential that the State takes a proactive step by converting,
Cawayan District Hospital into a tertiary hospital under the management of the Department of Health.
‘Through this conversion, the hospital will be infused with additional funding and the Municipality of
Cawayan will have more funds for other equally important projects.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly ed.

‘SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
epresentative
‘Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

7357

House Bill No.

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT CONVERTING THE CAWAYAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN CAWAYAN,
MASBATE INTO A TERTIARY HOSPITAL, UNDER THE FULL ADMINISTRATIVE,
AND TECHNICAL SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
WHICH SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE CAWAYAN PUBLIC HOSPITAL,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Cawayan Public Hospital Act.”
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote

the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. It is also the policy
of the State to maintain honesty and integrity in the public service.

Sec. 3. The Cawayan District Hospital in the Municipality of Cawayan, Province of Masbate, is
hereby converted to a tertiary hospital to be known as the Cawayan Public Hospital

Sec. 4. The Cawayan Public Hospital shall have the capabilities of a tertiary hospital, increasing
its bed capacity to two hundred (200) beds and shall be under the direct administrative and
technical supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

See. 5. Government contributions. The amount of one billion pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is
hereby appropriated as contribution of the National Government for the initial operations and
maintenance of the Cawayan Public Hospital. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its
operations and maintenance shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

See. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Health shall have the power to
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the
objectives and purposes of this Act within one (1) year from the approval hereof.

See. 7. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional
or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and
effect.


Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afler its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved