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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES || ~
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2536

Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
Furthermore, Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that the 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.

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weakness of our
healthcare system. Our hospitals are made vulnerable by the sheer number of patients they
have to accommodate. Long queues of people waiting and begging to be admitted is a normal
occurrence when there is a surge in cases. Those that fail to make the cut are left with no choice
but to stay home and manage their symptoms on their own. Unfortunately, this sometimes
leads to unwanted circumstances such as death.

The above-mentioned problem is especially glaring in public hospitals where people
would always flock for all sorts of medical services as many cannot afford to pay for private
hospitals. While there is an earnest effort to serve all those who seek medical help, it is
inevitable that efforts would sometimes fall short when public hospital facilities are not at par
with the needs of patients.

This is the same predicament that the Municipality of Guiguinto is facing right now.
With a population of 113,415 people, there are no 50-bed capacity hospitals serving the
burgeoning municipality. The nearest hospitals with such capacity are located in Malolos City
and the Municipality of Bulakan. As such, the Mayor Isagani C. Pascual Memorial Hospital,
formerly known as Ospital ng Guiguinto, has been tirelessly catering to the people of Guiguinto
and nearby municipalities at more than 100% of its twenty-five (25) bed capacity rate for several
years now.


In fact, the Mayor Isagani C. Pascual Memorial Hospital has reached 100% critical level
many times since the COVID-19 pandemic started as its bed capacity proved to be inadequate to
serve more patients. Tents had to be put up outside the hospital to serve as makeshift rooms just
0 those who cannot be admitted inside the hospital can still be treated.

Hence, there is a need to upgrade Mayor Isagani C. Pascual Memorial Hospital into a
50-bed capacity district hospital to meet the growing needs of the people of Guiguinto and
nearby municipalities and to be able to respond better to future emergencies.

Moreover, the conversion of Mayor Isagani C. Pascual Memorial Hospital will facilitate
access to adequate funding that would ensure that the hospital will have the necessary facilities,
infrastructure, programs, and services that could meet the healthcare demands of the people
amid a global health emergency.

With the passage of this bill, Mayor Isagani C. Pascual Memorial Hospital will be able to
provide a more affordable, quality, accessible, and comprehensive health care services to the
members of the population particularly in Guiguinto and nearby municipalities in the province
of Bulacan.

Considering the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

bern eet
OSIO “BOY” C. CRUZ, JR.
Representative, Fifth District of
Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2536

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr.

AN ACT CONVERTING THE MAYOR ISAGANI C. PASCUAL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL,

FORMERLY KNOWN AS OSPITAL NG GUIGUINTO IN GUIGUINTO BULACAN, INTO

A DISTRICT HOSPITAL, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25)
BEDS TO FIFTY (50) BEDS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. The Mayor Isagani C. Pascual Memorial Hospital, formerly known as Ospital
ng Guiguinto in Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan, is hereby converted into a district hospital.

Section 2. The authorized bed capacity of the district hospital is hereby increased from
twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall be consistent with
the hospital development plan.

Section 3. The existing professional healthcare services and facilities of the district
hospital are also hereby upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to the increase in bed
capacity as provided for in Section 2 hereof.

Section 4. The district hospital shall be under the administrative control of the
Department of Health (DOH) through its Centers for Health Development (CHD). The DOH
shall issue the implementing rules and regulations for the transfer of administration of the
hospital within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Section 5. The Secretary of Health shall include the implementation of this Act in the
DOH's programs. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included
in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law.

Section 6. If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining


parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,