FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBlRl 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has been growing as a "medical tourism" destination of choice 
because of our world class physicians, modern technology, and our uniquely Filipino 
brand of caring. Tourists get great value for money and at a fraction of the cost in 
developed countries. We are home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone 
specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. 
We also have some of the world's best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations in this 
part of the earth. 
The government issued Executive Order No. 372 realizing that medical tourism is 
a huge revenue potential industry. According to the International Trade Commission in 
Geneva, Switzerland, it is a $40billion global industry, and expected to grow to 
$188billion in 2013. The EO, issued last October 2004, created a "Public-Private Sector 
Task Force for the Development of Globally, Competitive Philippine Service Industries" 
to promote the development of three service sectors, namely: a) Information and 
Communications Technology: b) Health and Wellness; and c) Logistics. 
For the Health and Wellness sector, which now has the "Philippine Medical 
Tourism Program (PMTP)," eleven government agencies were tasked to work together 
to promote the same. 
The different mandates and expertise of each agency are 
supposed to contribute much to the development of the program. Unfortunately, due to 
the number of participating agencies and despite the good intentions of the Executive 
Order, confusion has resulted in the process - by both the agencies involved and by the 
private sector desiring to participate. Like for instance, the participating agencies 
individual roles in the task force, or the private sectors guidelines for accreditation. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to centralize the functions of the Task Force, and to 
integrate most of the different functions of the different agencies pertinent to the PMTP, 
in one office, thus the proposed creation of the Medical Tourism Bureau within the 
Department of Tourism. 
The Philippines needs to compete in the medical tourisms multi-billion dollar 
industry to help uplift the economic state of the country. The Philippines has many 
things to promote in its medical tourism package. Filipino medical practitioners are one 
of the best educated and trained in Asia. They are not only expert service providers but 
are also well known to be warm, sincere and caring. Filipinos are fluent in English and 
medical tourists will not have a problem communicating with their Filipino doctors, 
nurses or caregivers. The Philippines is also home to world-class hospitals like St. 


Lukes Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital, Medical City and 
Metropolitan Hospital. 
For the Philippines, promoting and advancing our health and wellness sector, 
especially the medical tourism industry, has at least three important implications: the 
acceleration of socio-economic development, earnings in foreign exchange, and 
reversal of the current outward migration orientation. This is an incentive for doctors to 
stay and lure back our health workers who had international training. 
now. The sooner that this office is established, the sooner we can achieve our goals. 
There is urgent need to position the country as a medical tourism destination 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought, 
MIGUEL F. ZUBlRl 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBlRl 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE MEDICAL TOURISM BUREAU WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
TOURISM, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 'Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
promote, encourage and develop its health and wellness sector, in particular the 
medical tourism industry, as a major national activity in which private sector investment 
effort and initiative are fostered and supported, and through which socio-economic 
development may be accelerated, foreign exchange earned, and international and 
returning Filipino medical tourists offered a choice of special packages of medical 
services coupled with leisure components. 
Section 2. Statement of Objectives. -This Act seeks to establish at the seat of 
government a bureau whose task will be to properly and adequately address the needs 
of foreign tourists as well as Filipino balikbayans and OFWs seeking medical treatment 
in the country, and of the private sector seeking to provide the services for those needs. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
herein defined: 
(A) "Medical Tourism" - travel to the Philippines for the purpose of availing 
healthcare services or treatment of illnesses and health problems in order to 
maintain one's health and well-being (DOT, DOH, PEZA 2006). 
The 
concept of this new tourism product is to offer cost-effective medical 
treatments while showcasing tourist attractions in the Philippines. 
(B) "Health and Wellness" - refers to the sector under which the medical 
tourism industry falls, covers a wide spectrum of services that promote 
physical well-being which ranges from holiday packages bundled with 


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everything from spa to cosmetic treatments to cardiovascular surgery; and 
diagnostic services to rehabilitative care. May be used interchangeably with 
the term "medical tourism." 
"Health care facility" means any institution, building, or agency or portion 
thereof, whether public or private (for-profit or nonprofit) that is used, 
operated, or designed to provide health services, medical treatment, or 
nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive care to any person or persons. This 
includes, but is not limited to, ambulatory surgical facilities, , health 
maintenance organizations, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, 
infirmaries, intermediate care facilities, kidney treatment centers, long-term 
care facilities, medical assistance facilities, mental health centers, outpatient 
facilities, public health centers, rehabilitation facilities, residential treatment 
facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and adult daycare centers. The term also 
includes, but is not limited to, the following related property when used for or 
in connection with the foregoing: laboratories, 
research facilities, 
pharmacies, laundry facilities, health personnel training and lodging facilities, 
and patient, guest, and health personnel food service facilities, and offices 
and office buildings for persons engaged in health care professions or 
services. 
"Health care provider" means any person or entity who provides health 
care services including, but not limited to, hospitals, medical clinics and 
offices, special care facilities, medical laboratories, physicians, pharmacists, 
dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and other 
nurses, paramedics, firefighters who provide emergency medical care, 
emergency medical or laboratory technicians, and ambulance and 
emergency medical workers. 
Section 4. Creation of the Medical Tourism Bureau - There is hereby created 
a Medical Tourism Bureau under the Department of Tourism. The Bureau shall be 
headed by a Director. 
Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the Bureau shall draw up the 
plans, programs and policies to implement the National Medical Tourism Program, and 
conduct a briefing for all concerned government agencies. The plan shall serve as the 
framework for the government's medical tourism program. 
Section 5. Powers and Responsibilities of the Bureau - The Bureau shall 
have the following powers and responsibilities, which it shall exercise: 


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1. Formulate policies, plans, programs and projects to promote the Medical 
Tourism industry of the country; 
2. Administer, coordinate and supervise all activities of the government 
concerning health and wellness; 
3. Advise the Secretary on the promulgation of laws relative to the policy, plans, 
programs and projects designed to promote and develop the health and 
wellness sector and medical tourism industry; 
4. Facilitate the simplification of procedures and regulations for the availment of 
medical services by foreign tourists and returning OFWs and Filipino 
balikbayans; 
5. Represent the government in all such conferences concerning health and 
wellness/medical tourism; 
6. Formulate standards for health and wellness/medical tourism-oriented 
establishments that will prescribe minimum levels of operating quality and 
efficiency in order to ensure that facilities, personnel and services are 
maintained in accordance with acceptable local and international norms in the 
operations of tourism-oriented establishments; 
7. Approve the construction standards of accredited health care facilities with 
the assistance of the Department of Health; 
8. Approve the construction standards of accredited medical tourism-oriented 
and -related establishments including hotels, resorts, inns, and other related 
facilities and services and prescribe information reporting on the purchase, 
sale or lease of the said establishments and facilities; 
9. Undertake research studies and surveys for the continuing analysis of 
economic conditions and trends in the global medical tourism field; and 
maintain a statistical data bank on the health and wellness and medical 
tourism industry; 
10.Promote the country as a premier Health and Wellness destination through 
international local expositions, fairs and conferences; 
11. Design products and implement programs to encourage private-sector 
investment and participation in health and wellness and medical tourism 
activities and projects; 
12. Monitor and evaluate plans, programs and projects of the Bureau; 
13. Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Bureau's 
objectives, policies and functions: 
14.Analyze specific geographic areas with potential medical tourism value and 
encourage private sector investment in these areas: 
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15. Enlist the aid, assistance and support of any and all government agencies, 
civil or military, in the implementation of the laws pertaining to the bureau's 
rules and regulations; 
16.Recommend sanctions for criminal liability of those who are in violation of the 
provisions of this Act or any of its rules and regulations promulgated 
pertaining to the medical tourism industry; 
17. Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental 
to the attainment of its mandate. 
Section 6. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Within sixty (60) days from 
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Tourism, upon the recommendation of the Director 
of the Bureau, shall design and recommend for approval of the President the Bureau's 
positions, structure and staffing pattern. The positions hereunder created shall be filled 
with regular appointments. 
Section 7. Transitory Provision. - The functions of the Office of Product 
Research and Development, or any such office performing the task, pertaining to health 
and wellness are hereby transferred to the Bureau. 
The functions of the different agencies involved in the Task Force for Health and 
Wellness pertaining to medical tourism, including the accreditation of facilities, granting 
of licenses, are also hereby transferred to the Bureau. 
Section 8. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of 
the DOT. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be included in the annual budget of the DOT under the General Appropriations 
Act. 
Section 9. 
Implementing Authority. - The Secretary of the Department of 
Tourism shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations, orders and other 
issuances as may be necessary to implement and carry out the intent, objectives, 
purposes and provisions of this Act. 
Section I O .  Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is 
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
force and effect. 
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amended or modified accordingly. 
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circulation. 
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Approved. 
Section 11. Repealing.Clause - All other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules 
and regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
Section 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication' in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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