NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
248
S. No.
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•22 JUL11 P4--02
RtCE.VLDB\'
V.
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
\
AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO SET AND APPROVE 
THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As provided in Section 11, Article XIII of the Constitution, "[t]he State shall 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the 
people at affordable cost." This is further supported by the enactment of Republic Act 
No. 11223 or the "Universal Health Care Act", which aims to "ensure that all Filipinos 
are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care".
One of the indicators to determine the accessibility of health care, specifically 
inpatient care, is the ratio of hospital beds to population. In the Philippines, which has 
a population of approximately 110 million,1 the ratio is 1 hospital bed for every 1,000 
people. This is way below the ideal ratio set by the World Health Organization of 3 
beds for every 1,000 population (3:1000)2. The shortage of hospital beds in the 
country became even more evident during the surge of COVID-19 cases during which 
some patients had to receive immediate care inside their vehicles in the hospital
1 Commission on Population and Development, (n.d.). POPCOM: At least 1.4 million will be added to 
the Philippine population in 2021. https://popcom.gov.ph/popcom-number-of-filipinos-in-2021- 
estimated-at-110-8-million-sizes-of-families-trending-lower-at-4-members/
2 Lacsamana, B. (2021, June 23). Burden on hospitals can be eased by community-based care, says 
experts. Business World, https://www.bworldonline.eom/health/2021/06/23/377332/burden-on- 
hospitals-can-be-eased-by-community-based-care-say-
experts/#:~:text=Luke,s%20Medical%20Center%20(SLMC).,by%20SLMCs%20College%20of%20Me
dicine.


parking lots.3 Amidst the pandemic, DOH confirmed that big hospitals in Metro Manila 
and other areas in the country are overpopulated with non-COVID patients.4 One 
reason for this is that patients from other regions were seeking admission to NCR 
hospitals because of the lack of available beds in their areas. The total hospital bed 
utilization rate and its current thresholds are currently used as the main metric for the 
health system capacity In the country.5
In relation to this, the DOH developed the Philippine Health Facility 
Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040 which aims to guide national and local 
government units in health infrastructure investment. The plan not only focuses on 
increasing the bed capacity of hospitals but also on Investing In health human 
resources and sustained financing.6 The gap in our bed-to-population ratio must be 
addressed while considering other resource requirements such as adequate financing, 
human resources, and other operational needs.7
Currently, DOH increases the bed capacity of Its hospital through legislation. 
Each bill has to go through the tedious legislative process which may take years. 
Allowing the DOH, in accordance with the PHFDP, to set and approve the bed capacity 
and service capability of DOH hospitals will be more efficient and effective, which Is 
critical in addressing the gaps in our healthcare system.
This measure is long overdue. It is based on the Committee Report filed by the 
Committees on Health and Demography, and Finance in the 18th Congress, which the
3 Lopez, M. (2021, April 6). Patient gets COVID treatment inside car pending hospital admission. CNN 
Philippines. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/4/5/patient-COVID-19-treatment-car-outside- 
hospital.html
4 Jaymalin, M., & Romero, A. (2022, June 8). DOH confirms overcapacity in big hospitals. Philippine 
Star. https://www.philstar.eom/headlines/2022/06/08/2186838/doh-confirms-overcapacity-big- 
hospitals
5 Galvez, D. {2022, June 28). lATF will no longer consider COVID growth rate in determining alert levels. 
Philippine Inquirer, https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1618001/iatf-will-no-longer-factor-in-covid-growth- 
rate-in-determining-alert-levels-risk-classifi cation
6 Department of Health. (2020). 
Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 2020-2040.
https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/DOH_PHIUPPINE%20HEALTH%20FACILJTY%20D 
EVELOPMENT%20PLAN%202020_2040_0.pdf
7 Department of Health. (2020). 
Philippine Heaith Facility Development Plan 2020-2040.
https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/DOH_PHILIPPINE%20HEALTH%20FACIUTY%20D 
EVELOPMENT%20PLAN%202020_2040_0.pdf


undesigned supported. It seeks to authorize the DOH to set and approve the bed 
capacity and service capability of all DOH hospitals. Through this bill, the DOH shall 
have the power to address the mismatch in occupancy of Filipino patients' access to 
healthcare and improve the quality of government health services. The DOH shall also 
provide Congress with an annual report of hospitals with approved bed capacity, along 
with the necessary funding requirements.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill and approval of the 
same is earnestly sought.
PIA S. CAYETANOI^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
Senate
icp of Uk' ^>c£retarp
■22 JUL11 P4fl2
SENATE 
S. No. 2948
RECEIVED Bi;
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO SET AND APPROVE 
THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as the "DOH Hospital Bed
2 
Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Purpose, Scope and Coverage. —This Act shall streamline the process
4 
for approving changes in the authorized bed capacities and corresponding service
5 
capabilities of all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
6 
Sec. 3. Authority to Approve. —The DOH is hereby authorized to adjust and
7 
approve the authorized bed capacities and corresponding service capabilities of
8 
hospitals under its supervision and control, taking into consideration the development
9 
plans of the hospitals, catchment population, burden of disease, availability of human
10 
resources, health care provider network, and other standards to be determined by the
11 
DOH. The DOH shall, through an administrative issuance, determine the bed capacities
12 
and service capabilities of DOH hospitals, subject to specific guidelines that shall be
13 
issued and promulgated, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act.
14 
Sec. 4. Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP). —The DOH shall
15 
continue to update, develop, and implement the Philippine Health Facility
16 
Development Plan (PHFDP) to guide the modernization and development plans of all
17 
government health facilities, and in order to access capital outlay investment through


1 
the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH and other national government
2 
capital outlay investment mechanisms.
3 
The Secretary of Health shall include in the DOH's programs the funding
4 
requirements for the adjustment in bed capacity and service capability of each DOH
5 
hospital in accordance with the PHFDP and the hospital's modernization and
6 
development plan, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
7 
Appropriations Act.
8 
Sec. 5. Conversion, Upgrading, and Modernization of DOH Hospitais. — The
9 
DOH shall upgrade and modernize the existing equipment and facilities of DOH
10 
hospitals to ensure that it shall be responsive to the health needs of the people
11 
commensurate with the bed capacity and service capability.
12 
Sec. 6. Annuai Report to Congress. —The DOH shall provide Congress, through
13 
the Committee on Health of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
14 
Health and Demography of the Senate, an annual report on hospitals with approved
15 
bed capacities, along with the necessary funding requirements.
16 
Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies andReguiations (IRR). —The DOH shall formulate
17 
the IRR of this Act within ninety (90) days upon its effectivity.
18 
Sec. 8. Separabiiity Ciause. — If any provision or part of this act is declared
19 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
20 
force and effect.
21 
Sec. 9. Repea ang Ciause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
22 
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
23 
amended, or modified accordingly.
24 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Ciause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
25 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,