Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8782

Introduced by HONORABLE MARK. 0. GO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Located in Baguio City, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) is a
Department of Health-managed hospital catering to patients in Cordillera and from other
provinces in northern Luzon. This bill seeks to increase the bed capacity of BGHMC from Eight
Hundred (800) to One Thousand Five Hundred (1500) beds.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the bed capacity of BGHMC was increased from 500 to
800 beds by virtue of RA 11084, in view of the annual increase in the volume of its patient
admission. At the time of the enactment of said law, BGHMC was already operating at an
occupancy rate of 14.17%, way above the hospital’s authorized bed capacity. As such, the
increase by an additional 300 beds at the time was merely to accommodate what was already the
prevailing situation then. The said increase was not intended to sufficiently respond to any
large-scale public health crisis, considering the vital role of the BGHMC in holding the fort in
Cordillera and northem Luzon at any such time of emergency, as in the case of the ongoing
pandemic.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, BGHMC had to reduce its patient admission
as per DOH protocol. From March to December 2020, BGHMC operated with at an average
‘occupancy rate of only 45.33%. If the hospital had a higher authorized bed capacity, even at
limited allowed occupancy, BGHMC would have been able to cater to more clients in need. Due
to the lack of beds, the hospital records a waiting list of 50 to 100 patients daily. And while the
country looks forward to the end of the ongoing pandemic, it is more prudent to invest on the
capacity building of the country’s premier health facilities in the regions, such as the BEHMC
which is a regional apex hospital, and the end-referral center for northem Luzon, to ensure
countrywide preparedness and responsiveness, should any public health crisis emerge in the
future.

Apart from its role in a public health crisis, BGHMC positions itself as the premier
referral center in northern Luzon, offering leading edge specialty services. Within the next four
years, BGHMC will be implementing in full, fifteen (15) different specialty programs,
beginning with cardiovascular care in 2021. Other specialty programs lined up for full
implementation include renal care and transplant, lung care, brain and spine care, orthopedic
center, cancer care, infectious disease and tropical medicine, and metal health among others.


With the expansion of the BGHMC specialty programs, Filipinos from Regions 1, 2, and CAR
would no longer have to travel all the way to Metro Manila to avail of quality specialty services,
which would entail additional costs and inconvenience to the ordinary people. BGHMC is also a
residency training center, currently with 211 residents spread over 16 different specialized
fields. By improving its capacity as proposed in this bill, BGHMC will be able to accommodate
more patients with specialized needs without compromising the quality of its services.
Increasing the bed capacity of BGHMC is an investment on an institution that continuously
innovates in its services, offers comprehensive training programs, and engages in research for
better health outcomes for its clientele.

Since 1902, BGHMC has been committed to promote excellent health care services. At
present about 80% of its clientele are indigent patients. Towards promoting sustainable and
inclusive growth, there is a need to ensure that the residents not only of Baguio, but of the entire
Cordillera, and the greater northern Luzon even, have sufficient access to immediate and quality
hospital services.

To further enhance its capability and efficiency in delivering public health services,
there is an urgent need for the increase of BGHMC’s bed capacity to 1500 beds.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8782

Introduced by HONARABLE MARK 0. GO

AN ACT INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF BAGUIO GENERAL HOSPITAL
AND MEDICAL CENTER FROM EIGHT HUNDRED (800) TO ONE THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED (1500) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The bed capacity of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
(BGHMC) in Baguio City is hereby increased from Eight Hundred (800) to One Thousand Five
Hundred (1500) beds.

SEC. 2. The existing service facilities and professional health care services of the BEMC
are hereby upgraded to conform with and commensurate to the bed capacity increase as provided
for in Section | hereof.

SEC. 3. The existing workforce of BGHMC shall also be correspondingly increased. The
Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and the
Civil Service Commission, shall determine the additional plantilla positions to be created and
filled up upon prior consultation with the BGHMC.

SEC. 4. The increase in bed capacity of the BGHMC from Eight Hundred (800) to One
Thousand Five Hundred (1500) beds shall be implemented for a period of not more than three (3)
years from the approval of this Act.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department’s programs
the implementation of the Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Republic Act No. 11084, otherwise known as “An Act Increasing the Bed
Capacity of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center from Five Hundred (500) to Eight
Hundred (800) Beds and Appropriating Funds Therefor”, is hereby repealed.

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,