Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NolO6S 2

Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right to health of the people and to instill consciousness among them is enshrined in the
Constitution since 1987. When the Local Government Code (LGC) was enacted in 1991, local
government units (LGUs) were granted more powers, authorities, and responsibilities. The
Implementing Rules and Regulations of the LGC was formulated after a year of its enactment and
devolved the health services to LGUs.

Hospitals and field health services of the Department of Health (DOH) were among those
devolved to the LGUs. The full implementation of the LGC in 1993 transferred the operation of
provincial and district hospitals to the provincial governors and rural health units (RHUs) to the city
and municipal mayors. Hence, not all hospitals are now controlled and supervised by the Department
of Health (DOH).

In 2019, the Malasakit Centers Act was passed to improve the delivery of healthcare services and
ensure access to and efficiency in availing medical and financial assistance for health services in the
Philippines. Nonetheless, the Malasakit Program and Centers of the Act is established only in DOH
Hospitals and the PGH. This creates unequal opportunity to medical and financial assistance since
hospitals controlled and supervised by the LGUs are not covered by the mandatory establishment of
the Malasakit Program and Centers.

With this measure, this representation intends to expand the scope of the Malasakit Centers Act
by including LGU-controlled and -supervised hospitals as mandatory hospitals wherein Malasakit
Program and Centers are mandatorily required to be established.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. .


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 16682

Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE MALASAKIT PROGRAM
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11463,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MALASAKIT CENTERS ACT

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers
Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 3. Definition of Terms.

Xxx
() LGU-CONTROLLED AND -SUPERVISED HOSPITAL REFERS TO ANY
HOSPITAL UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF A
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT.

SEC 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11463 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 4. Malasakit Program. — The DOH shall establish a Malasakit Program that
all DOH hospitals, LGU-CONTROLLED AND -SUPERVISED HOSPITALS,
and the PGH shall adopt and implement. Xxx

SEC 3. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11463 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 6. Malasakit Centers. — There shall be established a Malasakit Center in all
DOH hospitals, LGU-CONTROLLED AND -SUPERVISED HOSPITALS, and
the PGH which shall:

Xxx
Fhe-local_government—units- {LGUs}, State universities and colleges (SUCs),
Department of National Defense (DND), Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department
of Justice (DOJ) and other public hospitals may establish Malasakit Centers: Xxx


CC

SEC 4. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11463 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 9. Medical and Financial Assistance.
Xxx

In cases of patients who are admitted in LGU-and other public hospitals but who

are otherwise eligible for medical and financial assistance under this Act, they may

be extended such medical and financial assistance through the Malasakit Centers

or through the government agencies concerned.

SEC 5. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional,
the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC 6. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly

SEC 7. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,