NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As part of the government’s effort to reform the health sector, privatization of 
government hospitals has been endorsed ostensibly due to the rising cost of maintenance and 
operational expenses. One argument in favor of privatization is that it will allow investors to 
infuse additional capital to modernize and upgrade the facilities and equipment of these 
government hospitals, more particularly the specialized hospitals such as the Philippine Heart 
Center and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. 
While it is true that the government is experiencing difficulty in infusing the much-
needed funds to continually upgrade and acquire sophisticated and advanced medical 
equipment, it is a reality that majority of the people rely on these government hospitals for their 
medical and health needs. 
It is almost certain that corresponding increase in medical costs will ensue once the 
privatization of government hospitals is pursued.  Some people cannot even afford adequate 
shelter, food, clothing, and education.  Worst, accessible and affordable health care services 
will be beyond their reach. 
The Constitution mandates that health services shall be available to all people at 
affordable cost.  It is in this light that this measure seeks to prohibit the privatization of 
government hospitals to ensure and guarantee that health care services are affordable and 
accessible to all Filipino people. 
The early passage of this proposed measure is highly recommended. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
March 16, 2023
7:00 pm
7667


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE PRIVATIZATION OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS 
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 “Government Hospitals’ 
Privatization Prohibition Act”. 
SEC 2.  Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to guarantee that 
health care services are available, accessible and affordable to all the people by prohibiting 
the privatization of government hospitals. 
SEC 3.  Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a)
“Secretary” shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; and,
(b)
“Government Hospital” shall refer to a hospital operated and maintained
either partially or wholly by the national, provincial, municipal, or city
government or other political subdivision, or by any department, division,
board or other agency thereof.
SEC 4.  Prohibition on privatization of government hospitals. – The Secretary is hereby 
prohibited to privatize, sell, or offer for sale all government hospitals. 
SEC 5.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC 6.  Appropriations. – In order to achieve the objectives of this Act, such amount as may 
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.  Thereafter, 
the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the hospitals shall be included in the 
annual appropriations of the Department of Health.  
SEC 7.  Separability Clause. – Any portion or provision of this Act that may be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions and provisions 
hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still subsist and be given effect in 
their entirety. 
SEC 8.  Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter 
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly 
SEC 9.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
7667