Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second  Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9763
Introduced by Representative Jose Chaves Alvarez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish the Western Philippines Multi-Specialty 
Medical Center in the Province of Palawan. 
 Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the 
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill consciousness among them.” Furthermore, Section II, Article XIII 
also provides that “the 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 people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the 
needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children.” 
At present, there is an increasing number of Palaweños 
diagnosed with heart, lung, and kidney illnesses.  In fact, the 2021 
Philippine Statistics data discloses that acute myocardial infarction, 
stroke, pneumonia, respiratory tuberculosis, hypertensive heart 
December 13, 2023 
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disease, intracerebral hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus, and other 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the leading causes of 
death in Palawan. The current medical facilities of Ospital ng Palawan 
do not provide for specialized treatment of these illnesses. The major 
specialty hospitals are all located in Metro Manila, which means that 
Palaweños are burdened with the additional cost of transportation 
and accommodation just to be able to avail of the services of these 
specialty hospitals. 
It is thus imperative that a Multi-Specialty Medical Center should 
be established for those with heart, lung, kidney, and other allied 
diseases in the Province of Palawan. 
The establishment and maintenance of the Western Philippines 
Multi-Specialty Medical Center will give true meaning to the 
constitutional policy of providing efficient and effective health care 
system that is responsive to the health needs and problems of the 
Palaweños. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this legislative 
measure is earnestly sought. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second  Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9763 
Introduced by Representative Jose Chaves Alvarez 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIALTY MEDICAL CENTER TO BE 
KNOWN AS THE WESTERN PHILIPPINES MULTI-SPECIALTY MEDICAL 
CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 
in Congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Western 
Philippines Multi-Specialty Medical Center Act.” 
SEC. 2.  Declaration of Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them by making health services available, 
accessible, and affordable for all.  
Towards this end, the State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development by providing 
specialized health services to the general public through the 
establishment and institutionalization of multi-specialty healthcare 
center in Palawan. 


SEC. 3. Western Philippines Multi-Specialty Medical Center. – 
 
There is hereby established a Multi-Specialty Medical Center in 
Palawan to be known as the Western Philippines Multi-Specialty 
Medical Center operated and managed by Ospital ng Palawan 
subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 11959, provided that the 
following specialties shall be prioritized: 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. 
 
The DOH shall provide appropriate specialist equipment and 
prioritize funding for capital outlay investment through the Health 
Facilities Enhancement Program and other fund sources.  
 
The establishment of additional Specialty Centers in the Province 
of Palawan in separate premises and operated under the same 
management of the Ospital ng Palawan, shall not require a separate 
license. 
 
The DOH in collaboration with the Ospital ng Palawan, the 
Professional Regulation Commission, the Department of Budget and 
Management, the Civil Service Commission, the concerned 
accredited professional organization and specialty and subspecialty 
associations, and other relevant government agencies and 
stakeholders, shall ensure the sustainability of the staffing of the 
Western Philippines Multi-Specialty Medical Center, subject to 
evaluation and approval of the DBM and in accordance with the civil 
service laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
SEC. 4. Medical Specialist and Experts.  – The Western Philippines 
Multi-Specialty Medical Center under the Ospital ng Palawan is 
hereby authorized to contract the services of medical specialists or 
experts to provide specialty training and technical assistance. 
 


SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with the 
Ospital ng Palawan, and other concerned agencies, shall 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry 
out the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s 
appropriation of the DOH. Thereafter, the DOH shall include in the 
Department’s program the establishment and operationalization of 
the Western Philippines Multi-Specialty Medical Center, the funding of 
which shall be included in the budget of the DOH under the Annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision herein shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof that 
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation. 
Approved,