Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No’__ 2285

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ

and
HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate the creation of a Special Local Health Fund
for the improvement of local health services implemented by the local
government units. While Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, has effectively devolved health services to local
governments, many of these local government units were not prepared to carry
out these devolved health functions. Despite the establishment of local health
boards, there was no provision for the corresponding operating resources
needed to provide accessible and affordable quality health services.

With the establishment of a Special Local Health Fund, each local
government unit shall be afforded the funding needed to ensure a balanced and
fair delivery of local health services. It shall be apart from the appropriations
allotted to health services by the respective local government units and
remittances by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to the local health
institutions and shall be used exclusively for the acquisition of equipment,
upgrading of facilities and services, additional allowances for health workers,
training and continuing education of health workers. The local health boards
are likewise mandated to manage the special local health fund.


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

Rep. YEDD)
Representatl

IE K. ROMUALDEZ
ingog Sinirangan



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3185

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ

and
HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SPECIAL LOCAL HEALTH FUND FOR THE
IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Special Local
Health Fund Act of 2019”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared the policy of
the State to guarantee that total quality health care is available to the people at
affordable costs by providing additional resources to local government units for
the health needs of their respective constituencies. It is also the policy of the
State to see to it that all citizens be afforded optimum health care services and
make the local governments accountable for the development and
improvement of health services in their respective localities.


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Section 3. Special Local Health Fund - There is hereby established a

‘Special Local Health Fund which shall be used exclusively for the following:

a) Upgrading of facilities and equipment of local hospitals, rural health
clinics, lying-in clinics, emergency hospitals, puericulture centers,
nursing homes, hospices and such other health institutions found in
cities and municipalities;

b) Hiring, training and continuing education of health workers,
caregivers, volunteer health workers and other ancillary personnel
employed by the local governments in their health institutions;

¢) Building of new health institutions such as secondary hospitals.

‘specialty clinics or care centers in cities and municipalities;

d) Purchase of needed medicines and medical supplies at the lowest

costs in accordance with law; and
Establishment of mobile emergency lifelines or quick-response
medical and paramedical teams to respond to disasters,

e)

emergencies and other life-threatening situations in the community,

Section 4. Role of the Special Local Health Boards - In addition to

the functions of the Local Health Board as provided for in Section 102 (b) of
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of
1991, the Local Health Board shall manage the local special health fund, which
‘shall be remitted to them by the agencies mentioned in Section 2 of this Act.
The special health fund levy shall be automatically retained by the local health
board as well as the proceeds from fines due to violations of health and safety
laws collected by the local government units.

Section 5. Funding - The Special Local Health Fund shall come from

the following sources:

a) Proceeds from a special levy of one percentum from all sales in all
local public and private markets which shall be collected by the local
governments and allocated by the health boards;


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b) Proceeds from fines collected for violations of health and safety
regulations from all establishments in cities and municipalities;

Five percentum of all revenues derived by the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) from lotto which shall be divided equally
among all cities and municipalities;

Five percentum of the net revenues of the Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) which shall be alloted equally
among all cities and municipalities;

°C)

d)

e) Grants or donations and endowments to cities and municipalities

from private and foreign individuals, as well as, local and
international, private and public associations or foundations.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of
Health shall in coordination with the Secretary of Interior and Local
Government, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 7. Separability Clause - If any part or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts for provisions hereof which are not
affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the
provisions of this Act are deemed amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following completion of its publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.