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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL Ee

Introduced by Rep. Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

Previously known as the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH),
the ‘Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City serves patients principally coming from the 6
provinces and 7 cities of the Bicol Region aside from conducting teaching/training and
research programs. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 8053, the BMC has been authorized to
‘operate on a 300 - bed capacity, excluding the Don Susano V. Rodriguez Memorial Mental
Hospital located in Cadian, Pili, Camarines Sur, which has a 200 - bed capacity and which is
likewise under its jurisdiction.

The BMC actually traces its roots to a 25 - bed provincial hospital established in 1933
in a rented Spanish-style edifice in Naga City. Due to inadequate facilities, however, the
provincial hospital folded up in 1936. Four years later, the then Commonwealth government
Started building what would be the precursor of the present-day hospital straddling an area
of, more or less, 15 hectares.

At this stage, the BMC gallantly tries to live up to its standing as the premier
government hospital in a region rich in natural resources but ironically saddled by grinding
poverty. Gallantry, though, has its limits especially in the context of the inadequacies
hounding the medical center a couple of decades after its inception. Just imagine that the
BMC has to contend with an average of 850 patients a day — far exceeding its 500-bed
capacity.

This bill, therefore, calls for an increase in the bed capacity of BMC to 1000; a
corresponding upgrade in its service facilities and professional health care; and the
allocation of sufficient funding to effect such overdue reforms, as it were.

Given the urgency of the bill its immediate passage is eamestly sought.

GABRIEL/H. BORDADO JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, __ 832

Introduced by REP. GABRIEL H. BORDADO, JR.

AN ACT INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF BICOL MEDICAL CENTER FROM
FIVE HUNDRED (500) BEDS TO ONE THOUSAND (1000) BEDS, UPGRADING ITS
SERVICE FACILITIES AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES,
AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF ITS MEDICAL WORKFORCE COMPLEMENT,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8053, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS TEHREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Authorized bed capacity of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) is
hereby increased from five hundred (500) beds to one thousand (1000) beds. The
Secretary of Health shall implement the increase in bed capacity of the BMC
consistent with the five (5)-year development plan of the hospital.

SEC. 2. The existing hospital facilities and professional health care services of the
BMC are also hereby upgraded and increased to conform with and be
commensurate to the bed capacity increase as provided under Section 1 hereof.

SEC. 3. Upon consultation with the management of the BMC, the Secretary of
Health shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Budget and Management and the
Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, determine the additional plantilla
positions to be created and filled up in the workforce of BMC.

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SEC. 4. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's
programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Republic Act 8053, otherwise known as “An Act Converting the Bicol
Regional Training and Teaching Hospital into Bicol Medical Center, Defining its
Functions, Responsibilities, Powers and Authority, and Appropriating Funds
Therefor” is hereby amended accordingly. All laws, executive orders, issuances,
tules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modifies
accordingly.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,

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