Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _2454

Introduced by Rep. Dante S. Garcia and Rep. Kenneth Paolo C. Tereng

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TUBAO, PROVINCE OF LA
UNION, A BASIC COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALTY CENTER TO BE KNOWN
AS THE TUBAO MOTHER AND CHILD SPECIALTY CENTER, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippine Constitution articulates and upholds people's right to health and right to
health care. The constitution also elaborates that upholding the right to health care
involves the provision of health services to all the people at affordable cost." The phrase
“all the people" denotes absolute inclusiveness. In line with this constitutional mandate,
the Universal Health Care Act was enacted with the primary objective to “ensure that all
Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and
services, and protected against financial risk.”

The establishment and institutionalization of regional specialty healthcare centers in all
regions of the Philippines pursuant to Republic Act No. 11959 is a milestone that gives
more flesh and meaning to the letter and spirit of the Constitution. This new law which
was enacted in August 2023 during the 18" Congress, mandates the establishment of
specialty healthcare centers based on the prevalent disease burden in the catchment
populations of the Department of Health (DOH) facilities, such as cancer care,
cardiovascular care, lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care,
trauma care, burn care, orthopedic care, physical rehabilitation medicine, infectious
disease and tropical medicine, toxicology, mental health, geriatric care, neonatal care,
dermatology, eye care, and ear, nose and throat care.

In keeping with the spirit of the law, this proposed legislation aims to establish a Mother
and Child Specialty Center in the Municipality of Tubao, Province of La Union which
shall be under THE Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) or any a Level
III apex or end referral hospital in Region I. Under Section 4 of R.A. No. 11959, “the
establishment of Specialty Centers and any part thereof, in separate premises and operated
under the same management of a DOH hospital, shall not require a separate license x x x

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The Municipality of Tubao, which shall be the site of the Mother and Child Specialty
Center, is 32.9 kilometers km. away from the ITRMC in San Fernando, La Union City
and the travel time is approximately 49 minutes. Moreover, Tubao is a landlocked town
located in the 2nd district of the Province of La Union that is bounded on the north by
Aringay; on the east by Pugo; on the south-west by Santo Tomas and Rosario; and on the
west by Agoo. It is also adjacent to the boundaries of neighboring provinces. As such, the
proposed Mother and Child Specialty Center shall cater to the health needs of a significant
number of the populace in said areas, especially in life-and-death situations where every
second counts.

The is igte approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

adn
REP. S. GARCIA REP. KENNETH Slo Grerenc
2™ Dif Union KM Ngayon Na Partlist

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2494

Introduced by Rep. Dante S. Garcia and Rep. Kenneth Paolo C. Tereng

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TUBAO, PROVINCE OF LA
UNION, A BASIC COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALTY CENTER TO BE KNOWN
AS THE TUBAO MOTHER AND CHILD SPECIALTY CENTER, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION L. There shall be established in the Municipality of Tubao, Province
of La Union, a basic comprehensive specialty center to be known as the Tubao Mother
and Child Specialty Center, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the
Department of Health (DOH).

SEC. 2. The Tubao Mother and Child Specialty Center shall serve as apex or end
referral facility at the regional level providing an array of basic comprehensive clinical
services and capable of conducting clinical public health. It shall prioritize prenatal
testing, obstetrics and gynecological services, pediatrics care, lactation programs,
nutrition services, neonatal care, immunization services, postpartum depression support,
education classes for parenting and women’s and children’s health awareness.

SEC. 3. Any future increase in bed capacity, healthcare facilities, service
capability, and human resource complement shall be based on the hospital development
plan that shall be prepared by the DOH.

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

SEC. 5. If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the
remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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