NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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24 JAN 23 PI :10
SEN)
S.B. No. cOfcO
RtC£l!-'Ui.aV
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11959, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"REGIONAL SPECIALTY CENTERS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the pressing issues that hinder equitable access to healthcare in our 
country is the uneven distribution of specialty medical services. Many Filipinos 
residing in rural and far-flung areas face difficulties in obtaining specialized medical 
care due to the concentration of specialty facilities in Metro Manila.
To bridge this gap, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11959 or the "Regional Specialty 
Centers Act" was enacted last 24 August 2023 to mandate the establishment of 
specialty centers in DOH hospitals across regions. To augment this measure, this 
bill seeks to mandate the DOH to enter into partnerships with private hospitals to 
complement gaps in government services and leverage the strengths and resources 
of both public and private healthcare institutions in delivering specialized medical 
services.
Additionally, the shortage of medical health workers poses a significant 
challenge to our healthcare system. Rural and remote areas often face acute 
shortages of healthcare professionals, resulting in inadequate access to medical care 
with specialized fields. Thus, this bill calls for a collaboration between the DOH, 
private hospitals, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), private educational 
institutions, and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to address this issue. 
Incentives such as scholarships and loan repayment programs will be employed to 
encourage medical students to pursue internships and careers in underserved 
specialty centers.
Given the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
R. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
of S. • 't.- '.
24 J^N 23 PI -10
S.B. No.
RECEIVED i]V
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11959, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"REGIONAL SPECIALTY CENTERS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
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Sec. 1. A new Section 6 is hereby inserted after Section 5 of R.A. No. 11959
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otherwise known as the "Regional Specialty Centers Act" to read as follows:
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"SEC. 6. PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVA TE HOSPITALS -
(a) DOH REGIONAL HOSPITALS SHALL ENTER INTO 
PARTNERSHIPS OR AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE 
HOSPITAL/S WITHIN THEIR AREAS TO JOINTLY 
PROVIDE SPECIALTY MEDICAL SERVICES THAT MAY 
NOT BE FULLY AVAILABLE OR ACCESSIBLE IN SAID DOH 
REGIONAL HOSPITALS.
(B) 
THESE PARTNERSHIPS SHALL PRIORITIZE 
SERVICES IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS SUCH AS BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO CARDIOVASCULAR CARE, INFECTIOUS 
DISEASES AND TROPICAL MEDICINE, LUNG CARE, 
MENTAL HEALTH, NEONATAL CARE, ORTHOPEDIC CARE, 
GERIATRIC CARE, PALLIATIVE CARE, AND OTHER 
SPECIALIZED MEDICAL DISCIPLINES THAT MAY BE 
IDENTIFIED BY THE DOH.
(C) THE DOH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE PRIVATE 
HOSPITALS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, SHALL 
ESTABLISH GUIDELINES, PROTOCOLS, STANDARDS, 
AND MECHANISMS FOR THE SELECTION OF PARTNER 
PRIVATE HOSPITALS, INCLUDING THE TERMS OF 
COLLABORATION, SERVICE QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND 
EQUITABLE COST-SHARING ARRANGEMENTS."


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Sec. 2. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after Section 6 of R.A. No. 11959 
to read as follows:
"SEC. 7. COLLABORATION WITH MEDICAL SCHOOLS. - 
THE DOH SHALL COLLABORATE WITH THE COMMISSION 
ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), PRIVATE 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND STATE 
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLLEGES (SUCS) THAT OFFER 
MEDICAL DEGREE PROGRAMS.
THE CHED, CONCERNED PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS, AND SUCS SHALL ESTABLISH 
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO INCENTIVIZE 
MEDICAL STUDENTS TO PURSUE INTERNSHIPS AND 
CAREERS IN THE CONCERNED DOH REGIONAL 
HOSPITALS, AS MENTIONED IN SEC. 6 OF THIS ACT, 
SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS, LOAN REPAYMENT 
PROGRAMS, AND OTHER INCENTIVES.
Sec. 3. The succeeding sections of R.A . No. 11959 are hereby renumbered 
accordingly.
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or 
provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or 
provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof, 
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,