Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Deputy Speaker 
Michael L. Romero 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under Sec. 15, Article I of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is specifically 
provided that it is the policy of the State to promote and protect the right to health of 
the people. Furthermore, under Sec. 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution, it is specifically provided that the State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make health 
services available to all the people at affordable cost. 
On 15 April 2021, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) 
its new case rate packages for COVID-19 patients1, it states that the PhilHealth will 
cover the following expenses: for cases with mild pneumonia Forty-Three Thousand 
Nine Hundred Ninety-Seven Pesos (P43,997.00); for cases moderate pneumonia for 
One Hundred Forty-Three Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Seven Pesos (P143,267.00); 
for cases with severe pneumonia for Three Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand Five 
Hundred Nineteen Pesos (P333,519.00); and for cases with critical pneumonia for 
Seven 
Hundred 
Eight-Six 
Thousand 
Three 
Hundred 
Eighty-Four 
Pesos 
(P786,384.00). 
1 PhilHealth, PhilHealth guarantees continuing coverage for Covid-19 patients available at 
https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/2020/cont_coverage.php (last accessed on 03 May 2021). 
May 7, 2021
11:23 am
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Other governmental institutions, such as but not limited to Local Government 
Units (LGUs), has also provided their own COVID-19 subsidies based on their 
respective financial capabilities. 
Clearly though, the aforementioned coverage from the PhilHealth and 
subsidies by other governmental institutions is not enough and our countrymen still 
needs to shell out substantial amounts to cover their medical care bill. Various 
reports show that the medical expenses of COVID-19 Positive Filipinos can easily go 
over One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00)2 thereby placing financial hardships to 
COVID-19 Positive Filipinos and their families who has already been struck by the 
deadly pandemic. 
Therefore, for humanitarian purposes and in order to ease the burden of 
payment that our countrymen has to endure in these most trying of times the 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
Representative – Deputy Speaker 
1-PACMAN Party List
2 Inquirer, Survivor’s fight vs COVID-19 took 18 days, cost over P1M available at 
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1259436/survivors-fight-vs-covid-19-took-18-days-cost-over-p1m (last 
accessed on 03 May 2021). 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Deputy Speaker Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
GRANTING A 12-MONTH AMORTIZATION PLAN FOR COVID-19 POSITIVE 
FILIPINOS WHO HAVE INCURRED MEDICAL AND HOSPITALIZATION 
CHARGES ON PRIVATE OR PUBLIC HOSPITALS. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the "PATAK PATAK 
COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATION PAYMENT PLAN". 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – Sec. 15, Article I of the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution, provides that it is the policy of the State to promote and protect the 
right to health of the people. Furthermore, Sec. 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution, provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make health services 
available to all the people at affordable cost.  
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
be defined as stated below: 
a.
COVID-19 refers to a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’
stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this
disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’ The
COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common 
cold3. 
b. 
COVID-19 RT-PCR Test refers to a real-time reverse transcription 
polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test for the qualitative detection 
of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in upper and lower respiratory 
specimens (nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, sputum, lower 
respiratory tract aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, and nasopharyngeal 
wash/aspirate) collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by 
their healthcare provider (HCP), as well as upper respiratory specimens 
(nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, anterior nasal swabs, or mid-
turbinate swabs) collected from any individual, including individuals 
without symptoms or other reasons to suspect COVID194. 
c. 
COVID-19 Positive Filipinos refers to any and all Filipino Citizens who, 
after a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test, yields a positive result. 
d. 
Health Care Service Providers refers to any and all medical 
professionals and their medical facilities used for the care of patients. 
 
 
Sec. 4. Scope and Application. – This Act shall apply to all Filipinos who has or 
will contract COVID-19, as verified by a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test, and all health care 
service providers, whether private or public, charged with the care of COVID-19 
Positive Filipinos.  
 
 
Sec. 5. COVID-19 Medical and Hospitalization Charges Intervention. – 
Pursuant to Sec. 23 (2), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, the President is hereby 
authorized to exercise powers that are necessary and proper to carry out the declared 
national policy. The President shall have the power to adopt the following 
intervention to respond to the crisis brought by the pandemic: 
a. Direct all health care service providers, whether private or public, to 
implement a minimum of twelve (12) month amortization plan for the medical 
and hospitalization charges incurred by COVID-19 Positive Filipinos which are 
not covered by the following:  
(1) COVID-19 coverage provided by the PhilHealth; and if any 
(2) Other subsidies provided by other governmental institutions. 
 
3World Health Organization (WHO), Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control 
in Schools available at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/key-messages-and-
actions-for-covid-19-prevention-and-control-in-schools-march-
2020.pdf?sfvrsn=baf81d52_4#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20is%20a,2019%2DnCoV.' (last accessed on 03 
May 2021). 
4 United States of America Food and Drug Administration, EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION 
(EUA) SUMMARY COVID-19 RT-PCR TEST (LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA) 
available at https://www.fda.gov/media/136151/download (last accessed on 03 May 2021). 


 
 
Sec. 6. Penalty Clause. - Any violation of any and all health care service 
providers of the provisions of this Act, after due notice and hearing, shall be punished 
by a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) for each count, and 
suspension of their contract and/or accreditation up to three (3) months or the 
remaining period of its contract and/or accreditation whichever is shorter, or both, at 
the discretion of the PhilHealth, taking into consideration the gravity of the offense. 
The same shall also constitute a criminal violation punishable by imprisonment for 
six (6) months and one (1) day up to six (6) years, upon discretion of the court without 
prejudice to criminal liability defined under the Revised Penal Code. 
 
 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain in force and effect. 
 
 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clauses. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,