Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4516

Introduced by Representative Howard A. Guintu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution states that "The State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them". This provision
establishes the fundamental duty of the government to safeguard public health and ensure access
to adequate medical services.

However, this mandate is challenged by the inadequacy of existing hospital facilities and
the geographic realities in the 1* District of Capiz.

With a projected 2025 population of 449,536, the 1“ District of Capiz has only one Level
1 government hospital. The Bailan District Hospital (BDH), located in the Municipality of
Pontevedra has an approved bed capacity of 50 and an implementing capacity of 80, resulting in a
113.25% bed occupancy rate.

Unfortunately, BDH cannot be expanded due to tenurial constraints on the land it occupies,
making physical infrastructure improvements and capacity augmentation unfeasible.
Consequently, patients from the same municipality and neighboring towns in need of advanced or
specialized care are forced to seek treatment at the only Level 2 public hospital in the province,
located in Roxas City, which itself operates at a 151.82% occupancy rate.

The proposed Capiz District Hospital, 2 200-bed district hospital under the Department
of Health, will address these gaps by providing comprehensive medical, surgical, emergency, and
preventive services. Strategically located in Pontevedra, it will decongest existing hospitals,
improve health outcomes, and ensure timely access to quality healthcare for residents of Capiz. By
establishing this medical center, we not only strengthen the province’s health system but also fulfill
our constitutional obligation to protect and promote the health of the people.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._4516

Introduced by Representative Howard A. Guintu

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
PONTEVEDRA, PROVINCE OF CAPIZ, TO BE KNOWN AS THE CAPIZ DISTRICT
HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1, Establishment of the Capiz District Hospital. — There is hereby established a
district hospital under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH) in the
Municipality of Pontevedra, Province of Capiz, to be known as the Capiz District Hospital.

The hospital shall initially have a capacity of 200 beds (level 2 hospital), inclusive of the necessary
healthcare facilities, medical equipment, and professional health care services to provide quality
and accessible medical and surgical care to the residents of the First District of Capiz and
neighboring municipalities.

SEC 2. Services. - The Hospital shall provide comprehensive and inclusive medical servi
including but not limited to:

(a) Outpatient and inpatient care;

(b) Emergency and trauma services;

(c) Surgical and obstetric services;

(d) Maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare;

(e) Diagnostic, laboratory, and imaging services;

(f) Preventive and promotive health programs; and

(g) Other essential services as may be determined by the DOH.

SEC. 3. Future Expansion, — Any future increase in bed capacity, healthcare facilities, service
capability, and human resource complement shall be based on the hospital development plan that
shall be prepared by the DOH.


SEC. 4. Appropriation Clause. — The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the
Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.