NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
]
S. B. No. 304
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*22 JUL 12 A 9 :00
'RKCEIVlil BY: 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF SUPER HEALTH CENTERS IN EVERY CITY 
AND MUNICIPALITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Filipinos take pride in their resiliency and adaptiveness regardless of the 
challenges they face here in the country and in different parts of the globe. However, 
despite our resilience, we should aspire for world class health and educational 
services and institutions. This cannot be overemphasized. In the past few years, we 
have focused on building hospitals / tertiary care facilities which are good and 
beneficial to our people, but it is time to go back to the basics - where prevention is 
better than cure. Hence, the country should invest more in primary healthcare.
At the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 [COVlD-19] pandemic, 40% of 
the country's nurses have resigned.1 Latest data from the Department of Health 
shows that the overall bed occupancy rate of hospitals reached 131%. 3 out of 4 
hospitals have occupancy rates exceeding its authorized bed capacity.2 Some 
hospitals are understaffed and clogged with the increasing number of patients day by 
day. The Philippines has only over a thousand hospitals and a few would operate 24 
hours a day.
This bill proposes the creation of Super Health Centers in every city and 
municipality in the country, envisioned to actualize constitutional policies on health. 
To wit. Section 15 of Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “[t]he State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them."
The passage of this bill will help strengthen our primary health care system 
and increase its accessibility to the people. These centers will operate 24/7 and will 
provide various medical services to the people [including specialized services}, 
concentrating mainly on those who have low-risk, less serious or uncomplicated 
cases. The Super Health Centers can help ease the burden for patients who are 
compelled to go to farther hospitals for basic treatments or check ups.
1 https;//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9126038/
2 https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/DOH-Hospitals-Profile_0.pdf


To date, the City of Taguig has four (4) 24/7 Super Health Centers. These Super 
Health Centers have been offering basic medical facilities, with free consultation, anti­
rabies injections, laboratory, dental, breastfeeding, child delivery, and ambulance 
services among others. Quality care is also ensured by duly licensed doctors, nurses, 
midwives, and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Taguig residents are a testament 
to the successes of these Super Health Centers for the easy access and quality primary 
care it promised and continues to fulfill, as they hail the accessibility and assistance 
they get, especially in medical emergencies.
Having Super Health Centers in every city or municipality will contribute to the 
national government's mandate of delivering a comprehensive and accessible health 
care within the reach of the people. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard 
of health should not only be a constitutional dictum or remain an aspiration, but must 
actually be realized for the benefit of every Filipino.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. B. No. 304
‘22 JUL 12 A9 :00
B'l
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF SUPER HEALTH CENTERS IN EVERY 
CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 'Super Health 
Centers in All Cities and Municipalities Act."
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 
Constitution provides that “[t]he State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." On the other 
hand; Section 16 of Article II provides that "[t]he State shall protect and advance 
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
rhythm and harmony of nature."
Healthcare that is based on practical, scientifically-sound and socially 
acceptable methods and technology should be made universally accessible to 
individuals and families in every city and municipality in the country. It is 
therefore the bounden duty of the State to build world class but accessible and 
affordable health and educational facilities throughout the country that provide 
excellent services to the Filipino people.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -
a. "Primary health services" or "primary health care" shall mean the initial 
contact of an individual with an accessible and coordinated health 
system to manage health problems or issues that are less severe or 
uncomplicated; including, but not limited to the following:
i. 
Diagnosis and treatment of health problems;
ii. 
Prevention of health problems;
iii. 
Early intervention; and


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iv. Managing ongoing and long-term conditions, 
b. "Super Health Center" shall mean an accessible and fully equipped health 
hub that delivers primary health services and caters to less severe, 
uncomplicated or out-patient health care services.
SEC. 4. Establishment of Super Health Centers. - Each city and 
municipality shall establish at least one Super Health Center within its territorial 
jurisdiction. The Super Health Centers shall have the following minimum 
standards:
a) Facilities, rooms, and spaces which are accessible, especially to the elderly 
and Persons with Disability, and with appropriate signage;
b] Basic health equipment and facilities appropriate for the provision of 
primary health services;
c} Data and information management system that shall contain, store, and 
secure the health and other relevant data of the patients, in accordance with 
the provisions of the Data Privacy Act.
The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development [DSWD), shall issue guidelines for the proper 
implementation of this Act, and shall provide assistance to cities and 
municipalities in establishing the Super Health Centers. Medical services provided 
within the Super Health Centers and their providers shall be accredited by the 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
SEC. 5. Staffing. - All Super Health Centers established under this Act shall 
have such sufficient number of staffing as determined by the DOH, dependent on 
the population of the city or municipality concerned.
The LGU concerned shall hire all Super Health Center staff as job order, 
casual, contractual, or regular employees. Barangay health workers currently 
serving the city or municipality shall be given preference in the hiring under this 
Act.
SEC. 6. Services. - All Super Health Centers established under this Act shall 
be equipped with the most basic facilities that can cater to less severe, 
uncomplicated, and/or out-patient health care services.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within 60 days 
upon the approval of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DSWD, the 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government, shall prepare and issue such rules and regulations 
necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.


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Thereafter, the DPWH shall ensure the commencement of the creation of 
Super Health Centers within the fiscal year after appropriating the budget 
therefore.
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act 
of the year following its enactment, and every year thereafter.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts hereof not affected thereby shall 
remain valid.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary 
to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed 
accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15} days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,