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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1001
•22 ftUG -3 All ;20
RIlCElVEOBi..
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL 
FROM ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED BEDS (1,500) TO TWO THOUSAND 
AND TWO HUNDRED BEDS (2,200) AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since the establishment of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in 1907 by virtue 
of Act No. 1688 passed by the Philippine Commission, it has served not only as a beacon 
of hope for Filipinos, particularly the marginalized, seeking professional medical attention 
but also as a training ground for some of the best and brightest medical students and 
professionals in the country. In fact, today, PGH is dubbed as the biggest modern 
government tertiary hospital in the Philippines and the only national referral center for 
tertiary care.
Since it caters to mostly indigent patients, hundreds of Filipinos flock to the hospital 
as it offers a wide range of services. As a result, PGH reports that it serves more than 
600,000 patients yearly. And with limited bed capacity - 1,100 public beds and 400 
private beds - PGH is constantly challenged to provide every patient the needed medical 
service and care.
For instance, in June 2022, the hospital reported that its emergency room capacity 
has already reached up to 200% due to patients with non-COVID-19 related issues such 
as pneumonia, diabetes, and heart, lung and kidney diseases. PGH Spokesperson Jonas 
del Rosario noted that the hospital's ER - which only has 70 beds - catered to around


150 patients. Consequently, every day is a constant struggle not only for the patients and 
their families but also for the health care workers - most of whom have sacrificed better 
paying positions in private hospitals in order to serve our most vulnerable. This could also 
prove detrimental especially during a pandemic since the lack of facilities may expose 
patients to the COVID-19 virus.
With these in mind, this measure aims to ease to the burden of PGH as it will allow 
them to expand their facilities in order to cater to more who seek medical attention. As 
the country's apex hospital dedicated to our poorest of the poor, the government should 
extend any and all possible support.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
SENATE
1001
*22 AUG -3 All :20
UUCtlVtiJT.,__
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL 
FROM ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED BEDS (1,500) TO TWO THOUSAND 
AND TWO HUNDRED BEDS (2,200) AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. The authorized bed capacity of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH)
2 
is hereby increased from one thousand and five hundred (1,500) to two thousand and
3 
two hundred (2,200).
4 
SEC. 2. The existing hospital facilities and professional health care services of the
5 
PGH, shall be correspondingly upgraded to include the increase in the number of its
6 
medical personnel. The University of the Philippines (UP) shall promulgate the necessary
7 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
8 
SEC. 3. The increase in the bed capacity of the PGH from one thousand and five
9 
hundred beds (1,500) to two thousand and two hundred (2,200) beds shall be
10 
implemented within the period of six (6) months to one (1) year from the approval of this
11 
Act.
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SEC. 4. The University of the Philippines, through its approved annual budget,
13 
shall initially provide the necessary funding to support the increase in bed capacity of the
14 
PGH. The entire budgetary requirements of PGH for its operation and the upgrading of
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its facilities and services shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA)
16 
the following year of its enactinent.


a
1 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
2 
Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,