Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. pane

Introduced by Hon. Cyrille “Beng” F. Abueg-Zaldivar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution states that, “the
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them.”

In line with this, this bill seeks to increase the bed capacity of the public
lying-in clinic in the Municipality of Rizal, Province of Palawan, from 10-bed
to 20-bed capacity. It is crucial to increase its bed capacity so that the
prevailing need of the citizens in the area related to pregnancy and childbirth
will be addressed.

Most of the inhabitants of Rizal, Palawan are farmers. For women to
give birth, they need to traverse through arduous mountain slopes and
ravines to reach this health facility in Rizal. Worse, most families are
financially constrained to travel or transfer to a neighboring municipality or to
a bigger clinic or medical establishment whenever this facility is incapacitated
for further admission. For those who can afford to avail of a better medical
service, they need to travel long hours to other municipalities or in Puerto
Princesa City. It is evident that the minimal capacity of this public health
facility takes a higher social cost to the populace.

Moreover, the current capacity of this clinic can no longer support the
burgeoning municipal population and its medical need. Statistics indicates a
rising population density of the municipality from 37,487 in 2007, 42,759 in
2010 to 50,096 in 2015. Albeit minimal, the upgrade into a 20-bed maternity
facility intended for pregnant women is crucial to the community and its
people.


On a larger note, it is essential that the national government needs to
address the growing public health challenges, especially in the countryside, to
ensure the health and well-being of the present and future generations. We
know that the national government is serious in providing an effective and
efficient delivery of medical services in the country. It is hoped that this
appeal of the people of Rizal, Palawan will be acted on positively.

It is worth mentioning that this measure was filed by former Deputy
Speaker Frederick F. Abueg, approved by the House of Representatives, and
transmitted to the Senate in the Seventeenth Congress.

In view of the import of this measure, its immediate passage into law is
earnestly sought.

wy
CYRILLE “BENGJF, ABUEG-ZALDIVAR
Representative, 2 District of Palawan


evaunswne

10

soe

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

2

22

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2582

Introduced by Hon. Cyrille “Beng” F. Abueg-Zaldivar

AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE LYING-IN CLINIC IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN FROM TEN (10) BEDS
TO TWENTY (20) BEDS, UPGRADING ITS SERVICE FACILITIES AND
PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AUTHORIZING THE
INCREASE OF ITS MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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 Lying-in Clinic in the
Municipality of Rizal, Province of Palawan is hereby increased from ten (10) to
twenty (20) beds.

SEC. 2. The existing service facilities and professional health care services of
the Rizal, Palawan Lying-in Clinic are hereby upgraded to conform with and be

commensurate to the bed capacity as herein provided for.

SEC. 3. The existing workforce of the Rizal, Palawan Lying-in Clinic shall be
correspondingly increased. Upon prior consultation with the management of the
Rizal, Palawan Lying-in Clinic, the Secretary of Health, in coordination with the


10

1’

12

13

14

15

16

Secretary of Budget and Management and the Chairperson of the Civil Service
Commission, shall determine the additional plantilla positions to be created

pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 4. The Provincial Government of Palawan shall provide the necessary
funds for the maintenance and other operating expenses of the Lying-in Clinic in
the Municipality of Rizal. It shall also appropriate funds for human resource
complement to support the increase in bed capacity and the corresponding
upgrading of its service facilities and professional health care services. The
Secretary of Health shall include in the Department's subsidy program, support for
the capital outlays of the said lying-in clinic.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,