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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES je RECEIVED ~ \
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ai 23
Quezon City ¢ DATE:MAL 28 wi
TIME: 384m»
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No, 6789

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since the establishment of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in 1907 by virtue of Act No.
1688 passed by the Philippine Commission, it has served not only as a beacon of hope for Filipinos,
particularly the marginalized, seeking professional medical attention but also as a training ground
for some of the best and brightest medical students and professionals in the country. In fact, today,
PGH is dubbed as the biggest modern government tertiary hospital in the Philippines and the only

national referral center for tertiary care.

Since it caters to mostly indigent patients, hundreds of Filipinos flock to the hospital as it offers a
wide range of services. As a result, PGH reports that it serves more than 600,000 patients yearly.
‘And with limited bed capacity ~ 1,100 public beds and 400 private beds — PGH is constantly

challenged to provide every patient the needed medical service and care.

‘As an example, in a 2019 news report, PGH stated that around 250 patients a day visit their
emergency room alone which — due to recent renovation efforts — only has 25 beds for patients.

Consequently, every day is a constant struggle not only for the patients and their families but also


for the health care workers — most of whom have sacrificed better paying positions in private

hospitals in order to serve our most vulnerable.
With these in mind, this measure aims to ease to the burden of PGH as it will allow them to expand
their facilities in order to cater to more who seek medical attention, As the country’s apex hospital

dedicated to our poorest of the poor, the government should extend any and all possible support.

Given the abovementioned circumstances, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. ibaiat ALEXIE B. TUTOR


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6789

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL
FROM ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED BEDS (1,500) TO TWO THOUSAND
AND TWO HUNDRED BEDS (2,200) AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

SECTION 1. The authorized bed capacity of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is
hereby increased from one thousand and five hundred (1,500) to two thousand and two hundred

(2,200).

SEC. 2. The existing hospital facilities and professional health care services of the PGH,
shall be correspondingly upgraded to include the increase in the number of its medical personnel.
‘The University of the Philippines (UP) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for

the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 3. The increase in the bed capacity of the PGH from one thousand and five hundred
beds (1,500) to two thousand and two hundred (2,200) beds shall be implemented within the period

of six (6) months to one (1) year from the approval of this Act.


SEC. 4. The University of the Philippines, through its approved annual budget, shall
initially provide the necessary funding to support the increase in bed capacity of the PGH. The
entire budgetary requirements of PGH for its operation and the upgrading of its facilities and
services shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) the following year of

its enactment.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,