1-i
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No.
^ Senate
of ti)?
72 JUL14 P3*42
Rl;rEVv rO BV: _
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET AND APPROVE THE 
BED CAPACITY AND THE.SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS
EXPl_ANATORY NOTE
Health services must be distributed equitably to the whole population in terms 
of modern equipment, upgraded facilities and medical professionals to ensure access 
and availability of hospital services to the Filipinos. As provided in Section 11, Article 
XIII of the Constitution, "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." It is 
imperative that public health care must be affordable, effective and convenient. In 
fact. Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act - which this 
Representation was one of the authors in the Senate - led to all Filipinos having 
quality access to healthcare as they are now covered by the National Health 
Insurance Program (NHIP) regardless of their financial stature. We have also pushed 
legislations for both treatment and prevention of illnesses.
Unfortunately, with the increase in population, it is common for residents 
from far-flung provinces to travel for medical treatment purposes because of limited 
health services in their areas. The influx of patients leads to longer waiting time due 
to lack of available space in the hospital thus delaying the treatment. The patient 
needs to carry additional burden of sustaining the travel expenses which should be 
intended for his medical, surgical or therapeutic interventions.


According to data gathered by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 
released in January 2022, more than a third of all registered deaths in 2020 were 
not medically attended or with an uncertain status. Out of the 613,936 registered 
deaths, 343,471 (56%) were atiended by a health care provider, while the 
remaining 270,465 (44%) deaths were either unattended or its status not reported. 
Furthermore, in the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey, only 8 percent 
of the country's household population visited a health facility or provider for advice 
or treatment (30 days preceding the survey). The maldistribution of hospital beds in 
the regions resulted to inaccessibility, particularly longer than average travel times 
for those seeking health care in certain areas of the country, with some requiring a 
trip of more than an hour as against the national average of 46 to 47 minutes.
Of the 66 DOH retained public hospitals, 38 are located in Luzon, 12 in 
Visayas, and 16 in Mindanao. According to the DOH Hospitals Profile in 2019, the 
same public hospitals admit 30,309 patients and discharges a tenth of its total 
inpatients daily. Hence, it was recorded in 2019 that the average bed occupancy rate 
of ail DOH Hospitals is 131 percent, or equivalent to three (3) out of four (4) 
hospitals having a bed occupancy rete beyond the licensed authorized bed capacity.
Presently, a DOH hospital can only increase its bed capacity and upgrade its 
service capability through legislation. The average duration of legislation process for 
this purpose is ranging from eight months to three years. The mismatch in bed 
occupancy compounded by lack of sufficient manpower and health services hinders 
the quality health care for patients and, if not very far, inadequate to sustain the 
growing health needs of the populace.
Cognizant of the above considerations, there is a need to expedite the 
process for providing quality health services to the Filipino people. This bill seeks to 
authorize the Department of Health to administratively determine and approve the 
bed capacity and service capability of all DOH hospitals as necessary. The DOH has 
the capacity and expertise to assess gaps in service delivery. By putting these 
government hospitals under the jurisdiction of the DOH, which manages theses 
hospitals in the first place, shall increase the efficiency in the delivery of health 
services to sustain the increasing demands of patients.


In upholding the constitutional mandate to adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development, approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
iONNY ANGARA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. B. No. 635
Senate
•22 JUL14 P3,42
receivedBi': ...r:
Introduced bv Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET AND APPROVE THE 
BED CAPACITY AND THE SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "DOH Hospital Bed
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Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act."
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SEC. 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. - This Act shall streamline the
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process of approving changes in the authorized bed capacities and corresponding
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service capabilities cf all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
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SEC. 3. Authority to Approve. - The DOH is hereby authorized to adjust and
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approve the authorized bed capacities and corresponding service capabilities of
8 
hospitals under its supervision and control, taking into consideration the
9 
development plans of the hospitals, catchment population, burden of disease,
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availability of human resources, health care provider network, and other standards
11 
to be determined by the DOH. The DOH shall, through an administrative issuance,
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determine the bed capacities and service capabilities of DOH hospitals, subject to


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specific guidelines that shall be issued and promulgated, within three (3) months
2 
upon the effectivity of this Act.
3 
SEC. 4. Annual Report to Congress. - The DOH shall provide Congress,
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through the Committee on Health of the House of Representatives and the
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Committee on Health and Demography of the Senate, an annual report on hospitals
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with approved bed capacities, along with the necessary funding requirements.
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SEC. 5. Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP). - The DOH
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shall develop the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) to guide the
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modernization and development plans of all government health facilities, and in
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order to access capital outlay Investment through the Health Facilities Enhancement
11 
Program (HFEP) of the DOH and other national government capital outlay
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investment mechanisms.
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The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department's programs the
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funding requirements for the adjustment In bed capacity and service capability of
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each DOH hospital in accordance with the PHFDP and the hospital's modernization
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and development plan, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act (GAA).
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The DOH shall
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formulate the IRR of this Act within ninety (90) days upon its effecLivity.
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
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subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are
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not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees,
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executive orders, presidential proclamations. Issuances, rules and regulations, or


1 
parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this
2 
Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Officia! Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,