EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2202
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
of
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TIME
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AN ACT CONVERTING THE WESTERN VISAYAS SANITARIUM IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA BARBARA, PROVINCE OF ILOILO,
INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE WESTERN 
VISAYAS SANITARIUM AND GENERAL HOSPITAL,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that "Vie 
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them."
Western Visayas Sanitarium (WVS) is located in Barangay Inangayan and 
Barangay Belong Oeste, Santa Barbara, Iloilo. It was originally established in June 
1927 as a Treatment Station for Leprosy Patients. On 30 May 2005 WVS expanded 
its services from just a Leprosarium to a General Hospital by virtue of Administrative 
Order (AO) 2005-0013. As of today, WVS is a Level 1 general hospital with an 
authorized bed capacity of 300 retained by the Department of Health (DOH). WVS is 
recognized as a Center for Safety by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(PHIC).
This bill therefor seeks to convert the Western Visayas Sanitarium in the 
Municipality of Santa Barbara, Province of Iloilo into a general hospital to be known 
as the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital to further its duty to serve 
our countrymen throughout the Visayas region during this challenging time of 
pandemic, especially the less privileged and vulnerable. This bill will expand the 
general hospital services and develop specialized services while upholding its original 
mandate for leprosy prevention, treatment, control and rehabilitation.
In view of the foregoing, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No.
2202
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OI ft.Tg? May 17.2021 ml 
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Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT CONVERTING THE WESTERN VISAYAS SANITARIUM IN 
THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA BARBARA, PROVINCE OF ILOILO,
INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE WESTERN 
VISAYAS SANITARIUM AND GENERAL HOSPITAL,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. The Western Visayas Sanitarium in the Municipaiity of Santa Barbara, 
Province of Iloilo, is hereby expanded into a sanitarium and general hospital with 
specialty services in infectious diseases, to be known as the Western Visayas 
Sanitarium and General Hospital (WVSGH), which shall be under the direct control and 
supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).
SEC. 2. The authorized bed capacity of the WVSGH shall be increased from one 
hundred fifty (150) to three hundred (300) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity 
shail be consistent with the hospital development plan, that shall be prepared by the 
Chief of Hospital of the WVSGH and submitted to the DOH.
SEC. 3. The existing professional health care services and facilities of the 
VWVSGH shall also be upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to the increase 
in bed capacity as provided for in Section 2 hereof.
SEC. 4. The existing workforce of the WVSGH, which includes doctors, nurses, 
and support personnel, shall be increased correspondingiy.
SEC. 5. The Secretary of the DOH shall, after consultation with the Chief of 
Hospitai of the WVSGH, and in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of 
Budget and Management and the Chairperson of the Civii Service Commission, 
determine the additional new positions to be created and filled up.
SEC. 6. The position, seniority, security, and other rights of tenure of medical 
and non-medical personnel of the Western Visayas Sanitarium shall continue to be 
honored under the WVSGH.


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SEC. 7. The Secretary of the DOH shall immediately include in the Department's 
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 8. If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 9. All laws, executive orders. Issuances, rules and regulations. Inconsistent 
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication In the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,