Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNo.__3174

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

News and reports on escape of prisoners have cast doubt on the ability of law enforcement
agencies and penal institutions to effectively undertake custody of inmates and convicts.

To cite an example, a detainee who was locked up inside the detention cell of the local
police station, in Nueva Beija, escaped from a hospital where he was rushed following a scuffle
with fellow inmates.

It was reported that inside the detention cell, an inmate figured in a brawl with other
inmates where he got beaten up prompting the police to dispatch a three-man team, which rushed
the badly bruised inmate to the San Jose City General Hosp)

Accordingly, while being treated, said inmate’s police
room. While the nurse was attending to the inmate, another bloodied patient was brought into the
room, which triggered a commotion because of kibitzers who gathered around the said patient
and in the ensuing commotion, the inmate ped, the — backdoor
(http://www. philstar.com/nation/615556/wounded-ecija-inmate-escapes hospital).

Records also show that a total of 887 inmates detained in prison facilities under the
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), including the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), escaped during the
period 2000 up to April 2011 (http:// w.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/10/11/887-inmates-

ade).

This bill seeks to strengthen the correctional system of the country, promote the general
welfare and safeguard the basie rights of every prisoner through the establishment hospital ward
for prisoners in all public hospitals throughout the country.

While this may not totally address such concern for effective and efficient custody of
inmates and convicts, the proposed measure will nonetheless be a critical factor in resolving this
predicament.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGELINA wlll. TAN, M.D.

4" District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nousepiino.__ 3174

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO
ESTABLISH AN INMATES’ WARD IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HOSPITAL,

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

SECTION 1. It is the policy of the State to promote the general welfare and safeguard the basic
rights of every prisoner. Towards this end, the State shall establish an inmates’ ward in all public
hospitals throughout the country in order to strengthen government capability aimed towards the
institutionalization of highly efficient and competent correctional services in the country.

SEC. 2, There shall be established an "inmates' ward" in every government hospital within one
(1) year from the ty of this Act. The ward shall be under the supervision of the
administration of a public hospital. The inmates’ ward shall be for the exclusive use of
prisoners who are in need of hospital confinement by reason of their health conditions and safety.
However, when urgent reasons of public necessity requiring the immediate use of such ward
arise, it may be used for emergency purposes, after which, it shall be reverted to its nature as
inmates’ ward.

SEC. 3. Any hospital chief,
shall be punished with a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00).

SEC. 4, The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Department of Justice and the
Department of Interior and Local Government, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. Such amount as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act is hereby
authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for
the continuous implementation of this Act shall be included in the government hospital's annual
appropriations.

SEC. 6. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction,
administrative order, rule ot regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,