Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila.

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1996

Introduced by Representative Francisco Jose F. Matugas II

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Siargao District Hospital, located in the Municipality of Dapa, in
Surigao del Norte, was meant to be a Level 1 General Hospital with a bed
capacity of fifty (50). Unfortunately, however, due to insufficient funds, the
hospital has been downgraded to an infirmary with an existing bed capacity
of only thirty (30). Apart from the need for equipment and medicines, the
hospital’s biggest concern is the lack of personnel and manpower. It has only
three (3) regular doctors, including its Chief of Hospital, only one (1)
pharmacist, and less than twenty (20) nurses. It also needs IT personnel, a
supply officer, and janitors.

For the first half of 2018 alone, Siargao Island received a total of
163,245 tourists. This number is expected to significantly increase this year
since the island was declared as the Best Island in Asia by Condé Nast for
2018. Attention has not been focused, however, only on the island’s tourist
attractions but also on the dire state of its district hospital. Thus, in the news
are not only its pristine beaches and crystal clear waters but also accidents
and emergency cases which cannot be responded to adequately by the
hospital. It is therefore, imperative that the condition of the district hospital
be improved in order to address the growing need for sufficient medical care,
not only of tourists, but residents as well.


The Seventh Congress recognized the importance of this bill and passed
a similar measure on Third Reading on 21 January 2019. Thus, the
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

FRANCISCO JQSE F. MATUGAS IT
Surigao del Norte, First District
(Siargao Island)


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _1996

Introduced by Representative Francisco Jose F. Matugas II

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE SIARGAO DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF DAPA, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE
INTO A LEVEL 2 GENERAL HOSPITAL AND INCREASING ITS
BED CAPACITY FROM FIFTY (50) TO ONE HUNDRED (100) TO
BE KNOWN AS THE SIARGAO ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:
1 SECTION 1. The Siargao District Hospital in the Municipality of
2  Dapa, Province of Surigao del Norte, is hereby upgraded into a Level II
3 General Hospital to be known as the Siargao Island Medical Center.

4 The authorized bed capacity of the Siargao Island Medical Center is
5 hereby increased from fifty (50) to one hundred (100) beds.
6 The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) shall implement

7 the increase in bed capacity of the Siargao Island Medical Center within a
8 period of five (5) years from the approval of this Act.

9 SEC. 2. The existing hospital facilities and professional health care
10 services of the Siargao Island Medical Center are hereby upgraded to
11 conform with and be commensurate to the increase in bed capacity. The

12 number of medical personnel shall be correspondingly increased.


10
i
12

13

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the
Department’s programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act, the
DOH shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5. All laws, decrees, executive orders and other presidential
issuances which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

acetate ary eter et