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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINHTEENTH CoNGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSH BILLNo.10035
a.J,S
B``J:tTEMtLLl¥
AN ACT
HSTABLlsHING  IN  THH  MUNlclpALITy  OF  TUBAO,  pRoVINcn  OF  LA
UNION, A BASIC COMPREIIENSIVE SPECIALTY CENTER TO BE KNOWN
AS   THE   TUBAO   MOTHER   AND   CHILD   SPECIALTY   CENTER,   AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Constitution articulates and upholds people's right to health and right to
health  care.  The  constitution  also  elaborates  that upholding  the  right  to  health  care
involves  the  provision  of health  services  to  "all  the  people  at  affordable  cost." The
phrase  "all the people"  denotes  absolute inclusiveness.  In line with this  constitutional
mandate,  the  Universal  Health  Care  Act  was  enacted  with  the  primary  objective  to
"ensure  that  all  Filipinos  are  guaranteed  equitable  access  to  quality  and  affordable
health care goods and services, and protected against fmancial risk."
The establishment and institutionalization of regional specialty healthcare centers in all
regions of the Philippines pursuant to Republic Act No.  11959 is a milestone that gives
more flesh and meaning to the letter and spirit of the Constitution. This new law which
was enacted in August 2023  during the  l8th Congress,  mandates the establishment of
specialty  healthcare  centers  based  on  the  prevalent  disease  burden  in  the  catchment
populations   of  the   Department  of  Health  (DOH)   facilities,   such  as   cancer  care,
cardiovascular care,  lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care,
trauma  care,  bum  care,  orthopedic  care,  physical  rehabilitation  medicine,  infectious
disease and tropical medicine, toxicology, mental health, geriatric care, neonatal care,
dermatology, eye care, and ear, nose and throat care.
In keeping with the spirit of the law, this proposed legislation aims to establish a Mother
and Child Specialty Center in the Municipality of Tubao, Province of La Union which
shall be under THE Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC)  or any a
Level Ill apex or end referral hospital in Region I. Under Section 4 of R.A. No.11959,
"the establishment of Specialty Centers and any part thereof, in separate premises and
operated under the same management of a DOH hospital,  shall not require a separate
license x x x ."
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The Municipality of Tubao, which shall be the site of the Mother and Child Specialty
Center, is 32.9 kilometers kin. away from the ITRMC in Sam Femando, La Union City
and the travel time is approximately 49 minutes. Moreover, Tubao is a landlocked town
located in the 2nd district of the Province of La Union that is bounded on the north by
Aringay; on the east by Pugo; on the south-west by Santo Tomas and Rosario; and on
the west by Agoo.  It is also  adjacent to the boundaries  of neighboring provinces.  As
such, the proposed Mother and Child Specialty Center shall cater to the health needs of
a significant number of the populace in said areas, especially in life-and-death situations
where every second counts.
The immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
REP. P
2nd Distri
S. GARCIA
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSE BILLNo.10035
AN ACT
HSTABLlsHTNG  IN  THn  MUNlclpALITy  OF  TUBAO,  PROVINCE  oF  LA
UNION, A BASIC COMPREHENSIVH SPECIALTY CENTER TO BE KNOWN
AS   THE   TUBA0   MOTIIER   AND   CHILD   SPECIALTY   CENTHR,   AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS TIIEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Rapresentatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. There shall be established in the Municipality of Tubao, Province
of La Union, a basic comprehensive specialty center to be known as the Tubao Mother
and Child Specialty Center, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of
the Department of Health (DOH).
SEC. 2. The Tubao Mother and Child Specialty Center shall  serve as apex or
end-referral  facility  at  the  regional  level  providing  an  array  of basic  comprehensive
clinical  services  and  capable  of conducting  clinical  public  health.  It  shall  prioritize
prenatal   testing,   obstetrics   and   gynecological   services,   pediatrics   care,   lactation
programs,   nutrition   services,   neonatal   care,   immunization   services,   postpartum
depression support, education classes for parenting and women's and children's health
awareness.
SEC.  3.  Any  future  increase  in  bed  capacity,  healthcare  facilities,   service
capability, and human resource complement shall be based on the hospital development
plan that shall be prepared by the DOH.
SHC. 4. 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.  5.  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.   6.   All   laws,   executive   orders,   issuances,   and  rules   and  regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC.  7.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)  days after its publication  in the
OJ7j7}cz.cz/ Gazcf/e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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