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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 884

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO,
INTO A LEVEL III HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE
SOCCSKSARGEN MEDICAL CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides, “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 the people at affordable cost.
There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women,
and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.”

In line with this constitutional mandate and in the interest of strengthening and
improving the delivery of health care services in the Province of South Cotabato and in the
SOCCSKSARGEN Region, this representation proposes this legislative measure which seeks
to upgrade the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital in the Municipality of Surallah, Province
of South Cotabato into a Level III Hospital, and to be known as the SOCCSKSARGEN
Medical Center.

The proposed measure aims to elevate the status of the hospital to a Level III medical
facility under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH),
increasing its Authorized Bed Capacity (ABC) to five hundred (500) to one thousand (1000)
beds, enhancing its health care services and infrastructure, and expanding its workforce to
provide more comprehensive, specialized, and accessible medical care to the public.

For the longest time, Region XII has been deprived of public medical resources,
which can be attributed to the absence of a dedicated regional hospital within its territory. The

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Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is located outside of the region and it primarily
serves the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). As a result,
the residents of Region XII are left with limited and impractical options for specialized or
advanced treatment. With no regional hospital to call its own, Region XII faces a serious
healthcare gap.

This initiative seeks to respond to this urgent need for improved public health care
services in Region XII by addressing the growing health care demand, improving access to
specialized medical services, and promoting the equitable delivery of quality health care for
all, The proposed upgrading of SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital into a Medical Center
will also generate employment and economic opportunities, and ultimately boost the region’s
medical tourism potential.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__ $84

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO,
INTO A LEVEL II HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE
SOCCSKSARGEN MEDICAL CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital in the Municipality of
Surallah, Province of South Cotabato, is hereby upgraded into a Level III hospital to be
known as the SOCCSKSARGEN Medical Center (SMC), which shall be under the direct
control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH),

SEC. 2. The authorized bed capacity of the SOCCSKSARGEN Medical Center shall
be increased to five hundred (500) to one thousand (1,000) beds

SEC. 3. The existing professional health care services and facilities of the
SOCCSKSARGEN Medical Center shall also be upgraded to conform with and be
commensurate to its upgrading as a Level III hospital and the increase in bed capacity as
provided for in Sections | and 2 hereof.

SEC. 4. The existing workforce of the SOCCSKSARGEN Medical Center, which
includes doctors, nurses, and support personnel, shall be increased correspondingly.

The Secretary of Health shall, after consultation with the Medical Center Chief of the
SOCCSKSARGEN Medical Center, and in coordination with the Secretary of Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission
(CSC), determine the additional new positions to be created.

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SEC. 5. Appropriation. - The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the
Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - 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.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date

of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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