REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3597

Introduced by REP. CESAR V. SARMIENTO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public health care is one basic need that must be affordable, effective and
convenient. It is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines that the
“State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.” It is likewise guaranteed that “the State shall adopt
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other services available to all people
at affordable cost.”

Republic Act No. 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of
1991 transferred the management and implementation of public health services in
the hands of local governments in the belief that such move will improve delivery
of public services since it is the local government that is more knowledgeable
about the needs of their constituencies. As a result of such devolution, the quality
and coverage of public health services deteriorated particularly in the poor
provinces. According to data gathered by the Health Alliance for Democracy
(HEAD), five out of 10 Filipinos die without receiving medical attention. The
average hospital bill is three times the average monthly income of a worker, With
the decreasing budget for health, the devolution of health services to cash-
strapped provinces and municipalities, and the privatization of government
hospitals, the quality and availability of the basic health services have become
inaccessible especially to the poor and the less privileged.

Catanduanes is a third class province based on its income classification
and its revenues are not sufficient to meet the required cash flow for the delivery
of health services. Patients requiring higher medical care need to go to mainland
Bicol or to Manila due to the lack of facilities in the hospitals in the province
while patients who cannot afford the high cost of medical services have no choice
but to wait for their health to wane without getting proper medical attention.

Based on the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

om CO

CESAR V. SARMIENTO.


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 38597

Introduced by REP. CESAR V. SARMIENTO

AN ACT UPGRADING THE EASTERN BICOL MEDICAL CENTER (EBMC) IN
VIRAC, CATANDUANES TO A TERTIARY LEVEL HOSPITAL ATTACHED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) in Virac, Catanduanes is
hereby upgraded into a tertiary level hospital.

SECTION 2. The upgrading shall provide the provincial hospital in Virac, Catanduanes
with the capability of a tertiary level hospital without increasing the hospital’s bed capacity.

SECTION 3. Upon its upgrading, the Eastern Bicol Medical Center shall be under the
direct control, supervision and management of the Department of Health.

SECTION 4, The Secretary of Health shall issue such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the purpose of the Act.

SECTION 5. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the Act shall be
charged against the current year’s appropriations for the Organizational Adjustment Fund.
Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for their continued operation shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,