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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4307

Introduced by Representative JB BERNOS
and Representative CHING B. BERNOS

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE ABRA PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL INTO A LEVEL II HOSPITAL TO
BE KNOWN AS THE DR. LUIS F. BERSAMIN, SR. MEDICAL CENTER COMPLEX,
UPGRADING ITS FACILITIES, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY, AND
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIALTY HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS GOV. ANDRES
B, BERNOS MULTI-SPECIALTY MEDICAL CENTER, BOTH IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF BANGUED, PROVINCE OF ABRA AND UNDER THE CONTROL, SUPERVISION
AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Abra Provincial Hospital, located in the Municipality of Bangued, serves as the
primary government healthcare facility for the Province of Abra. For decades, it has been
providing critical medical services to thousands of residents, particularly those from far-
flung municipalities who have limited access to quality healthcare. However, with the
growing population, rising incidence of illnesses, and increasing demand for specialized
services, the current bed capacity and facilities of the hospital have become inadequate
to meet the health needs of the community. Patients often face long waiting times for
admission, overcrowded wards, and limited access to advanced diagnostic and
treatment services.

This bill seeks to address this urgent gap by increasing the bed capacity of the
Abra Provincial Hospital and upgrading its classification to a Level If hospital under the
direct control and supervision of the Department of Health. Furthermore, this measure
proposes to rename the hospital as the Dr. Luis F. Bersamin, Sr. Medical Center
Complex, in honor of the late Dr. Luis F. Bersamin, Sr., a wartime hero, dedicated
physician, and public servant whose life was committed to the service of the people of
Abra. His legacy of compassion and excellence in healthcare continues to inspire
generations of Abrefios.


In addition, the establishment of a multi-specialty hospital in the Municipality of
Bangued will directly address this pressing gap in the province’s healthcare
infrastructure, By offering specialized services - such as cardiology, oncology,
pediatrics, surgery, and other fields of medicine - also under the direct control and
supervision of the Department of Health, the proposed hospital will bring advanced
healthcare closer to the people of Abra. The hospital, to be named the Gov. Andres B.
Bernos Multi-Specialty Medical Center, after the distinguished public servant, the late
Governor Andres Ma. Brillantes Bernos, will not only enhance access to quality medical
services but will also decongest tertiary hospitals in nearby regions. Furthermore, it will
serve as a training and research institution that can help raise the standards of
healthcare delivery in the province and provide opportunities for local health
professionals

‘The right to health is a fundamental principle enshrined in the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, which mandates the State to protect and promote the health of the people
and instill health consciousness among them. Access to quality, affordable, and
specialized medical care is an essential component of this mandate. The establishment
of an upgraded medical center and a multi-specialty hospital in Abra will bring advanced
healthcare closer to the people of Abra, reduce the financial and emotional burden of
traveling long distances for treatment, and strengthen the local health system in line
with the government's commitment to universal health care.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly

sought.

. ¢HING B, BERNOS
SOLII NORTH Party-List



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.4307

Introduced by Representative JB BERNOS
and Representative CHING B. BERNOS

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE ABRA PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL INTO A LEVEL II HOSPITAL TO
BE KNOWN AS THE DR. LUIS F. BERSAMIN, SR. MEDICAL CENTER COMPLEX,
UPGRADING ITS FACILITIES, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY, AND
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIALTY HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS GOV. ANDRES
B, BERNOS MULTI-SPECIALTY MEDICAL CENTER, BOTH IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF BANGUED, PROVINCE OF ABRA AND UNDER THE CONTROL, SUPERVISION
AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Abra Provincial Hospital in the Municipality of Bangued, Province of
Abra is hereby converted into a Level II hospital under the control, supervision and
management of the Department of Health (DOH), and renamed as the Dr. Luis F.
Bersamin, Sr. Medical Center Complex (DLFBSMCC).

SECTION 2. The authorized bed capacity of the DLFBSMCC shall be increased from fifty
(50) to two hundred (200) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall be consistent
with the hospital development plan that shall be prepared by the Chief of Hospital of the
DLFBSMCC, in consultation and coordination with the Provincial Government of Abra,
and submitted to the DOH.

SECTION 3. The existing professional health care services and facilities of the
DLFBSMCC shall also be upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to its
upgrading as a Level Il hospital and the increase in bed capacity as provided for in
Sections 1 and 2 hereof.


SECTION 4. The existing workforce of the DLFBSMCC, which includes doctors, nurses,

and support personnel, shall be increased correspondingly.

SECTION 5. There shall also be established, under the direct control and supervision
of the Department of Health (DOH), a multi-specialty hospital within the premises of the
DLFBSMCC in the Municipality of Bangued, Province of Abra, to be known as the Gov.
Andres B. Bernos Multi-Specialty Medical Center.

SECTION 6. The authorized bed capacity of the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Multi-Specialty
Medical Center shall be initially fifty (50) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall
be consistent with the hospital development plan that shall be prepared by the Chief of
Hospital of Gov. Andres B. Bernos Multi-Specialty Medical Center, in consultation and

coordination with the Provincial Government of Abra, and submitted to the DOH.

SECTION 7. The DOH shall include the funding necessary for the upgrade, including
the acquisition of additional medical equipment and facilities, creation of plantilla
positions, and the construction of needed infrastructure in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. 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.

SECTION 9. All laws, executive orders, issuances and rules and regulations

inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,