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Republic of the Philippines ts Ng RECE or
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (3? RECEIVED 4
Quezon City | © pare: 29 SEP 2016 ’
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS \ BF ia i,
First Regular Session ey

HOUSE BILL No, 8857

Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Over the past years, we have seen various moves to privatize specialized and
regular government hospitals, which I believe will be detrimental for the Filipino
people. Thus, the proposal of this bill which seeks to prohibit the privatization of
existing government hospitals.

With the maintenance and operating costs of running a hospital continuously
increasing, some individuals and groups think that privatizing such institutions would
be the best solution. The government will no longer need to fund these hospitals and
upgrading and modernizing of facilities will be assured.

But at what cost? Once privatized, treatment in these hospitals will come at a
hefty price. The poorest of the poor would no longer be able to access these hospitals
for they will not be able to afford the cost of treatment.

These hospitals should remain under the charge of the government so that
equal access to quality health care will be assured. As the Philippine Constitution
mandates, health services shall be available to all people at affordable cost. The
Philippine government should find ways in which to modernize and improve these
hospitals without resorting to its privatization.

It is for these reasons that early passage of this propose
recommended,

‘abure is highly



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House sil no8857

Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING

ACT
PROHIBITING THE PRIVATIZATION OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Government Hospitals’
Privatization Prohibition Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to guarantee that quality health care services are readily available, accessible and
affordable to all people by prohibiting the privatization of all existing government
hospitals.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term
"Government Hospital" shall refer to a hospital operated and maintained either in part
or in whole by the national, provincial, municipal, or city government of other political
subdivision, or by any department, division, board or other agency thereof,

SECTION 4. Prohibition on Privatization of Government Hospitals. — It hereby
prohibited to privatize, sell, or offer for sale, in part or in whole, any and all
government hospitals.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the
Department of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.


SECTION 8. Fffectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,