Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _8601

Introduced by Hon. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the declared policy of the state to ensure that all Filipinos be guaranteed equitable
access to quality and affordable health care, goods and services, and be protected against
financial risks brought about by medical or health conditions. This is a recognition of the
fundamental right of every human being to attain good health.

Hoilo City is home to seven (7) hospitals including Western Visayas Medical Center
(WVMC) and the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC), which serve
the people of the entire Panay and Guimaras Islands being tertiary public hospitals.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these government-run hospitals exceed their respective
capacities as patients from Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo Province seek
medical care from specialists. The pandemic has added to the stress that these medical centers
were already faced with.

Being the regional center and with the economic activity expected to recover from the
pandemic, Hloilo City needs to plan ahead for its more than 500,000 residents and transient
population, particularly the marginalized who depend on the public health system for their
health care and medical needs.

To the mind of the Iloilo City Government led by Mayor Jerry Trefias and this representation,
it is imperative to plan ahead, thus the establishment of the Uswag Ioilo City Hospital is
hereby submitted.

The passage of this bill will maximize funding from the national government and will
strengthen public health security of the people of Iloilo City.

p

JULIENNE “JAM” L. BARONDA
Representative
Lone District of Iloilo City.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8601

Introduced by Hon. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE USWAG ILOILO CITY HOSPITAL IN THE CITY
OF ILOILO, PROVINCE OF ILOILO, TO BE KNOWN AS THE USWAG ILOILO
HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

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

Section 1. There shall be established a tertiary general hospital in the City of Hoilo, Province
of Iloilo to be known as the Uswag Iloilo City Hospital (UICH).

Section 2. The City Government of Iloilo shall provide funding for the establishment,
operation, and maintenance of the UICH.

Section 3. The Chief of Hospital of the UICH shall submit to the Department of Health
(DOH) a development plan to reflect the developmental goals of the hospital. The medical
personnel, capital outlays, and budgetary needs for the operation of the UICH shall be based.
on the hospital development plan.

Section 4. The Secretary of Department of Health (DOH) shall include in the Department’s
subsidy program, its support for the capital outlays of the hospital.

Section 5. The Secretary of Health, in consultation and coordination with local government
officials concerned, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,