NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
, 
•fT'"'
c ■ /_
SENATE
S. No. 2881
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL 
IN THE CITY OF MANILA FROM ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY- 
FOUR (1,334) TO TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED (2,200) BEDS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As provided in Section 11, Article XIII of the Constitution, "[t]he State shall 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the 
people at affordable cost." This is further supported by the enactment of Republic Act 
No. 11223 or the "UniversalHealth Care Act,"\N\\\Qh aims to "ensure that all Filipinos 
are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care."
Moreover, as a party to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development, the Philippines is committed to promulgate policies that advance the 
seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under this framework, 
particularly SDG 3 on good health and well-being. Target 3.8 of the SDGs aims to 
"[ajchieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to 
quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and 
affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all."
One of the indicators to determine the accessibility of health care is the ratio of 
hospital beds to population. According to the Department of Health (DOH) Philippine 
Health Facility Development Plan 2020-2040, the bed to population ratio in the country


is at 1.2 beds per 1,000 population, comparable to those of the poorest countries in 
the world. The DOH, however, aspires to have a ratio of 4 beds per 1,000 population 
by 2040.1
The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) stands 
as the only national university hospital and serves as the premier referral center in the 
Philippines. Increasing its bed capacity is one critical strategy for UP-PGH to enhance 
its capacity to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population, as it is the largest 
modern government tertiary hospital in the Philippines, servicing more than 600,000 
patients annually.2
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill and approval of the 
same is earnestly sought.
S'
PIA^CAY^NO
1 27 provinces with less than 0.5 hospital bed per 1,000 population - PiDS study, (n.d.). Philippine 
Institute for Devlopment Studies, https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/press-releases/27-provinces- 
with-less-than-0-5-hospital-bed-per-1-000-population-pids-
study#:~:text=Though%20Regions%20lll%2C%20IV%2DA,need%20to%20prioritize%20the%20avaii
ability
2 University of the Philippines Manila, (n.d.). About us. https://www.pgh.gov.ph/about-us/


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2881
l\ij
•C-;
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL 
IN THE CITY OF MANILA FROM ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY- 
FOUR (1,334) TO TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED (2,200) BEDS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. The authorized bed capacity of the University of the Philippines-
2 
Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) located in the City of Manila, is hereby increased
3 
from one thousand three hundred thirty-four (1,334) beds to two thousand two
4 
hundred (2,200) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall be consistent with the
5 
hospital development plan that shall be prepared by the Director of UP-PGH and
6 
approved by the University of the Philippines (UP) Board of Regents (BOR).
7 
SEC. 2. The existing professional health care services and facilities of UP-PGH
8 
are hereby upgraded to conform with and be commensurate with the increase in bed
9 
capacity.
10 
SEC. 3. The existing workforce of the UP-PGH which includes doctors, nurses,
11 
and support personnel shall be increased correspondingly.
12 
SEC. 4. The UP, through its approved annual budget, shall initially provide the
13 
necessary funding to support the increase in bed capacity of UP-PGH. The entire
14 
budgetary requirements of UP-PGH for its operation and the upgrading of its facilities
15 
and services shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the following
16 
year from its enactment.


1 
SEC. 5. If any of the sections or provisions of this Act is held invalid, all other
2 
provisions not affected shall remain valid.
3 
SEC. 6. All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules and regulations
4 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
5 
SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
6 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,