Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2538 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT UPGRADING, MODERNIZING, AND CONVERTING THE COTABATO PROVINCIAL 
HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE OF COTABATO INTO THE COTABATO PROVINCE 
REGIONAL HOSPITAL, PLACING IT UNDER THE CONTROL, MANAGEMENT, AND 
SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The right to health is enshrined in Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution, which mandates the State to “protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them.” In pursuit of this constitutional 
mandate, the government has consistently enacted measures to upgrade, modernize, and 
expand public health facilities across the country. 
The Cotabato Provincial Hospital, established as a key health institution in the 
Province of Cotabato, has long served as a primary provider of medical care to the 
province’s growing population. However, with the increasing demand for quality health 
services, the hospital’s current capacity and facilities have become inadequate to meet the 
needs of its constituents. The last legislative upgrade, under Republic Act No. 7361 (1992), 
increased its bed capacity from fifty (50) to one hundred (100) beds. Since then, the 
province’s population and health care needs have significantly expanded, necessitating 
further enhancement of the hospital’s capacity and services. 
Recent legislative measures, such as Republic Act No. 11391 (2019) and Republic 
Act No. 11715 (2022), have demonstrated the government’s commitment to upgrading and 
modernizing hospitals in Mindanao and other regions, ensuring that health facilities are 
equipped to provide comprehensive and quality care. These laws have provided for 
increased bed capacity, modernization of facilities, and the transfer of management to the 
Department of Health (DOH), resulting in improved health outcomes for the communities 
they serve.​
 
July 29, 2025
6:15 pm


This bill seeks to upgrade, modernize, and convert the Cotabato Provincial Hospital 
into the Cotabato Province Regional Hospital, increasing its authorized bed capacity to 
three hundred (300) and elevating its status to a tertiary-level hospital under the direct 
control, management, and supervision of the DOH. The proposed measure will ensure that 
the hospital is equipped with the necessary infrastructure, human resources, and 
professional health care services to address the complex health needs of the province and 
neighboring areas. 
The enactment of this measure will not only enhance the delivery of health services 
in Cotabato but will also contribute to the realization of the government’s goal of universal 
health care. It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that this bill be given immediate 
consideration and approval. 
MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
    Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2538 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT UPGRADING, MODERNIZING, AND CONVERTING THE COTABATO PROVINCIAL 
HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE OF COTABATO INTO THE COTABATO PROVINCE 
REGIONAL HOSPITAL, PLACING IT UNDER THE CONTROL, MANAGEMENT, AND 
SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
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 the “Cotabato Province Regional 
Hospital Act.” 
Section 2. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act: 
(a) “Regional Hospital” refers to a tertiary-level government hospital providing
comprehensive health care services. 
(b) “Tertiary Level” refers to the highest level of hospital care as defined by the
Department of Health (DOH). 
Section 3. Upgrade to Regional Hospital. — The Cotabato Provincial Hospital is hereby 
upgraded, modernized, and converted into a regional hospital, to be known as the Cotabato 
Province Regional Hospital. 
Section 4. Bed Capacity, Health Care Services, and Facilities. — The authorized bed 
capacity shall be increased to three hundred (300) beds, with the capability of a 
tertiary-level hospital. The hospital’s professional health care services and facilities shall be 
upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to its bed capacity, consistent with its 
development plan. 
Section 5. Control and Supervision. — Upon its upgrading and modernization, the 
Cotabato Province Regional Hospital shall be under the direct control, management, and 
supervision of the DOH. 


Section 6. Plantilla Positions and Human Resources. — The DOH, in coordination with the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), 
and in consultation with the hospital’s management, shall determine the necessary human 
resources and additional plantilla positions to be created and filled in the hospital 
workforce within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Section 7. Hospital Development Plan. — The Chief of Hospital shall, within one hundred 
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, submit to the DOH a hospital 
development plan reflecting the developmental plans of the hospital, capital outlay 
investments, staffing requirements, and budgetary needs, consistent with the increase in 
bed capacity and service capability. 
 
Section 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into 
law and thereafter. The DOH may use its current appropriations for the initial 
implementation of this Act. 
 
Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOH, in consultation with the 
DBM, CSC, and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its 
effectivity. 
 
Section 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Section 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
Section 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,