Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the republic of the Philippines, Government hospitals are not at all capable to 
support the ideal hospital bed to population ratio. 
The 2018 data, the ratio of government-owned hospital beds to population 
stands at 1: 2,320. This is many numbers away from the hospital bed to 
population ratio that the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 2017-2022 
of the Department of Health (DOH)has set as target (one hospital bed for every 
800 citizens or 1: 800). 
The DOH’s National Health Facility Registry lists has a total of 89,700 hospital 
beds. Of this figures, government-owned hospitals account for 47,645 or only 
(53 percent of the beds), including 33,008 (69 percent) in Luzon; 6,767 or (14 
percent) in the Visayas; and 7,870 or (17 percent) in Mindanao. 
This House Bill seeks to ensure access and availability of hospital services 
and facilities to all Filipinos, establishment of new hospitals shall be regulated 
based on a set of criteria as embodied under prevailing laws. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
August 4, 2022
4:40 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE POPULATION TO 
HOSPITAL BEDS RATIO, TO FOSTER THE AVAILABILITY, 
ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTH FACILITIES AND 
SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is hereby a declared 
policy of the state to promote the application of an appropriate system modeling 
using system dynamics, the model identified by health professionals, the 
population, and financial sources that greatly affect healthcare services. 
The state shall support the simulations that shall reveal, that the Republic 
of the Philippines may be able to satisfy the hospital bed requirements by year 
2022. 
The state shall recognize that, this will only be possible if both public and 
private hospitals will provide just compensation to healthcare providers and 
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invest on infrastructure and facility such as acquisition of new hospital beds to 
accommodate the healthcare needs of the growing population. 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, in Section 15 Article III, declares that 
the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health consciousness among them.  
Section II Article XIII declares that the State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development that shall endeavor to make 
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at 
affordable cost. 
These roles of the State as stated in the Constitution are one of the 
justification for government intervention in or regulation of the health sector. 
Free market forces cannot be allowed to reign if this will result in inequity and 
lack of access to health services. Health and health services, being public 
goods, must be distributed equitably to the whole population. And it is the role 
of the government to ensure equitable distribution of health resources. 
SECTION 2. 
GENERAL GUIDELINES: 
A. The BHFS (bureau of health facilities and services) shall
require all applicants for PTC (permit to construct) for the
establishment of new hospitals to secure a Certificate of Need
from the CHD (center for health development). The CHD shall
require all applicants to accomplish the DOH-prescribed
application form for the issuance of Certificate of Need.
B. Conversion or upgrading of a birthing home into a general
hospital, or a special hospital into a general hospital, shall
also require a Certificate of Need from the CHD as a
requirement for the application for a PTC.


 
C. Each CHD shall create a committee composed of three 
members coming from CHD technical staff that will evaluate 
the application for a Certificate of Need. This committee shall 
recommend to the CHD Director the approval or disapproval 
of the application.  
 
D. The CHD Director shall approve/disapprove the application 
for a Certificate of Need. If approved, the CHD Director shall 
endorse to the BHFS the Certificate of Need of the applicant 
together with the evaluation report. If disapproved, the CHD 
shall inform the applicant by registered mail the particular 
reason for the disapproval of the application. 
 
E. All CHDs shall map all existing hospitals in the region, as well 
as establish a database of all hospitals with corresponding 
bed capacities and the projected population of all political 
subdivisions within the region. The CHD shall update the 
regional map of all existing hospitals periodically, and shall 
submit a copy of the map during the first quarter of the year 
to the BHFS. 
 
F. All applicants with a disapproved PTC application that has 
been inactive for one year before the approval of this Order, 
as well as those applicants with approved PTC applications 
but whose PTC has already lapsed (i.e. construction has not 
begun within 365 days upon approval of the PTC) shall be 
required to secure a Certificate of Need from the CHD. 
 


G. The CHD shall impose a non-refundable application fee for 
the issuance of Certificate of Need in the amount of Twenty 
Thousand pesos (P20,000.00) and shall be paid to the 
Cashier of the CHD. The application fee shall be updated 
regularly by the BHFS. 
SECTION 3. 
POLICIES 
    Bed to Population Ratio 
 
The bed-to-population ratio must not be more than one (l) bed per 
800 population (1 : 800). 
 
In a province or region where the bed-to-population ratio is 
already more than 1: 800, additional beds may be put up if the 
average occupancy rate for all hospitals for the past three (3) 
years is more than 85%. The number of additional beds that may 
be put up shall be based on the health care needs of the 
population. 
Travel Time. The proposed hospital shall be at least one (l) hour away 
by the usual means of transportation during most part of the year from 
the nearest existing hospital. 
Accessibility. The proposed hospital site must be accessible to 
patients and clients by the usual means of land or sea transportation 
during most part of the year. If the proposed site is in an island 
municipality, the proposed hospital must be strategically located. 
Integration with local hospital development plan. If there is an 
existing local hospital development plan that has been approved by the 
DOH, the proposed hospital must be integrated with this existing plan. 
The proponent should show proof that it has checked with the local 
government for any relevant local hospital development plan. 


Track record. If the proponent is currently operating a hospital, that 
hospital must have an acceptable track record in terms of good 
compliance with licensing requirements and a consistent history of few 
verified complaints. 
 
SECTION 
4. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
5. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
6. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
7. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
8. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,