Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
THIRD REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. ____ 
Introduced by 
Rep. BERNADETTE R. HERRERA 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING MALASAKIT CENTERS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
﻿EXPLANATORY NOTE 
﻿Access to healthcare is a fundamental right guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution, which 
mandates the State to ensure that all Filipinos receive adequate and affordable medical 
services. The establishment of Malasakit Centers in public hospitals has significantly 
improved the process of availing government financial and medical assistance, 
particularly for indigent patients. However, many private hospitals, despite receiving 
government subsidies or tax incentives, do not have a similar structured mechanism to 
facilitate these benefits for financially incapable patients. 
This bill seeks to bridge that gap by requiring private hospitals that receive government 
funding or incentives to establish Malasakit Centers within their premises. However, to 
ensure that the assistance provided through these centers is directed to those who 
need it most, only indigent patients confined in charity wards shall be eligible for 
Malasakit Center benefits. The Department of Health, in coordination with PhilHealth 
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall develop clear guidelines 
for determining indigency status and charity ward admissions to prevent abuse or 
misuse of the system. 
Additionally, the bill mandates PhilHealth to process and pay claims from private 
hospitals within thirty (30) calendar days from the submission of complete documentary 
requirements. Failure to comply with this deadline without justifiable cause shall result in 
administrative and criminal liability for responsible PhilHealth officials and employees. 
This measure ensures accountability, prevents bureaucratic inefficiencies, and protects 
both healthcare providers and patients from the negative effects of delayed 
reimbursements. 
By institutionalizing Malasakit Centers in qualified private hospitals while establishing 
clear eligibility criteria and efficient payment mechanisms, this legislation strengthens 
the healthcare system’s ability to provide timely and equitable medical assistance to 
indigent Filipinos.  
In view of these objectives, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA 
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February 12, 2025
11:34 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
THIRD REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. ____ 
Introduced by 
Rep. BERNADETTE R. HERRERA 
﻿AN ACT ESTABLISHING MALASAKIT CENTERS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. TITLE 
This Act shall be known as the “Private Hospital Malasakit Centers Act.” 
SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY 
It is the policy of the State to provide accessible and efficient health care services to all 
Filipinos, particularly indigent patients, by institutionalizing a one-stop-shop system in 
hospitals to streamline medical and financial assistance from various government 
agencies. To enhance public-private cooperation in healthcare, this Act mandates the 
establishment of Malasakit Centers in private hospitals that receive government 
financial assistance or tax incentives. 
SECTION 3. SCOPE AND COVERAGE 
This Act shall apply to all private hospitals that meet any of the following criteria: 
a)
Receive government subsidies or financial aid for indigent patient care;
b)
Enjoy fiscal incentives such as tax breaks, duty exemptions, or other benefits from
the government;
c)
Have a minimum bed capacity of one hundred (100) and cater to at least a
specified percentage of indigent patients annually.
SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF MALASAKIT CENTERS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS 
a)
﻿Private hospitals falling under Section 3 shall establish Malasakit Centers within
their premises to provide a streamlined system for indigent and financially
incapable patients to access government assistance.
b)
The Malasakit Centers shall:
1.
Facilitate financial assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
(PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
PhilHealth, and other government agencies;
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2.​
Ensure the availability of social workers and patient navigators to assist 
indigent patients; 
 
3.​
Provide information on medical financial aid programs and assist in 
application processes; 
 
4.​
Coordinate with government and non-governmental organizations for further 
patient support; and 
 
5.​
Ensure that only indigent patients confined in the charity wards of private 
hospitals shall be eligible to avail of the benefits and financial assistance 
facilitated by the Malasakit Center. The DOH, in consultation with PhilHealth 
and DSWD, shall establish clear guidelines for determining indigency status 
and the criteria for charity ward admission. 
 
 
SECTION 5. FUNDING AND SUPPORT 
 
a)​
The DOH, in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and other 
relevant agencies, shall allocate financial assistance or provide incentives for 
private hospitals that establish Malasakit Centers. 
 
﻿b) ​
Private hospitals may claim reimbursements for services rendered to indigent 
patients in charity wards under government-sponsored programs, subject to 
verification and approval by the appropriate agencies. 
​
 
1.​
PhilHealth shall ensure that all claims submitted by private hospitals for 
services rendered to indigent patients in charity wards shall be processed 
and paid within thirty (30) calendar days from the submission of complete 
documentary requirements. 
 
2.​
Failure to meet this payment timeline without justifiable cause shall render 
responsible PhilHealth officers and employees administratively and criminally 
liable under existing laws on graft, corruption, and negligence of duty. 
Administrative penalties may include suspension, dismissal from service, and 
forfeiture of benefits, while criminal liability shall be subject to penalties 
provided under the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices 
Act (RA 3019), and other relevant laws. 
 
3.​
The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act shall specify clear 
accountability mechanisms for delayed payments, including the procedures 
for filing complaints against erring PhilHealth personnel and the imposition of 
appropriate sanctions. 
 
c)​
The government shall explore partnerships with private hospitals to expand 
funding sources for the sustainability of Malasakit Centers. 
 
 
SECTION 6. IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES AND OVERSIGHT 
 
a)​
The Department of Health (DOH) shall oversee the implementation, monitoring, 
and regulation of Malasakit Centers in private hospitals. 
 
b)​
The PhilHealth, DSWD, and PCSO shall coordinate to ensure smooth facilitation 
of assistance programs. 
 
c)​
A Congressional Oversight Committee shall be created to review and assess the 
effectiveness of Malasakit Centers in private hospitals, ensuring compliance and 
continuous improvement. 
 
 
 
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SECTION 7. PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE 
 
a) ​
Private hospitals failing to establish Malasakit Centers despite meeting the criteria 
under Section 3 shall be subject to: 
​
 
1.​
Revocation of government subsidies or fiscal incentives; 
 
2.​
Monetary penalties (to be determined by the DOH and the Department of 
Finance); 
 
3.​
Other administrative sanctions as may be prescribed by law. 
 
b) ​
Any hospital or official found guilty of misusing Malasakit Center funds or engaging 
in corrupt practices shall be subject to criminal and civil liabilities under existing 
laws. 
 
 
SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) 
 
Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with 
PhilHealth, PCSO, DSWD, the Department of Finance, and representatives from the 
private hospital sector, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE 
 
If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not 
affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 
SECTION 10. REPEALING CLAUSE 
 
All laws, executive orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
 
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY 
 
This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved, 
 
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