Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
      House Bill No. 10798 
_______________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
_______________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution mandates the state to establish sufficient hospital 
infrastructures and healthcare facilities through appropriate technology and 
research, with adequate financial, equipment and other support services. 
The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago in the South-East 
Asia Region, with a population of 121.9 million as of 2022. The Philippines is 
currently one of Asia’s fastest growing economies with a gross domestic 
product growth of 6.7% at the end of 2018. Categorized as a newly 
industrialized country, it is transitioning from one based on agriculture to one 
based more on services and manufacturing. 
We must ensure a stable and applicable health care program by 
involving as many stakeholders as possible in the healthcare sector. 
We must review the mandate and flow of operations of all our 
government agencies involved in the delivery and regulation of all our key 
health care services to improve synergy in pursuant to the mandate of this 
House Bill. 
The topic of health has become increasingly more important over the 
past few decades in the Philippines. The country has implemented several 
rounds of reform to strengthen its health system. Philippines adopted 
decentralized health governance in 1991, introduced a social health 
insurance program – PHILHEALTH – in 1995, and has actively pursued 
universal health coverage since 2010. As a consequence of its focus on the 
health sector and general socioeconomic development.  
August 20, 2024
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Although much has been achieved to date, there are still many 
concerns in the health sector that need to be tackled. These include a 
reduction in the prevalence of tuberculosis and childhood pneumonia, as well 
as managing the rising tide of non-communicable diseases and further 
strengthening the preparation and response capacity to natural and human-
induced disasters.  
There have been widespread efforts to improve health service delivery 
in the country, but regional and socioeconomic disparities in the availability 
and accessibility of resources are prominent. There is mal-distribution of 
infrastructure and human resources across and within regions, which are 
concentrated in Metro Manila and other major cities. Philippines is a major 
exporter of health-care professionals but finds it challenging to ensure 
adequate availability within the country.  
Utilization of the health budget has improved over the years, but 
governance and implementation challenges persist due to the fragmented 
nature of the system. The country has a mixed health system with an 
expanding private sector. There is no effective mechanism to regulate private 
for-profit health-care providers. More than 50% of the total health spending is 
out of pocket. Coverage by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(PhilHealth) has increased over the years, but not all the eligible members are 
aware of the benefits of the program. There is no effective mechanism in place 
to monitor the accreditation of facilities, and regulate the cost and quality of 
services.  
To overcome some of these challenges, the Department of Health (DOH) 
and PhilHealth are pushing the development of functional Service Delivery 
Networks (SDNs) using both government and private sector institutions. 
Simultaneously, there will be a concerted effort to regulate and accredit all 
providers as well as ensure that end-users understand the benefits that they 
are entitled to 
This House Bill envisions a highly acceptable and perpetual solution to 
the perennial problem on the governance of our key health care system It has 
been proven that our healthcare providers are very erratic and therefore very 
unreliable in several scenarios.  
Our healthcare workers and experts should be encouraged to perform 
more to meet our mandated standards, they should be provided with adequate 
support through, better seedlings, enhanced stocking, improved farm 
mechanization, and accessible credits.  
 
Furthermore, it promotes alternative learning approaches, including 
informal and community-based programs. The Republic of the Philippines, 
must find a permanent and lasting solution to our recurring school shortage 
crisis. The state must ensure a stable and sufficient program by involving as 
many stakeholders as possible in all sectors. 
 
We must review the mandate and flow of operations of all our 
government agencies involved in the production and distribution of all our 
school facilities and programs to improve synergy in pursuant to the mandate 
of the Constitution. Several recent studies have pointed out the alarming 
deterioration of the quality of healthcare in the Philippines, but this was 


 
officially confirmed in the report delivered by concurrently serving Department 
of Health (DOH). There are several issues that plague the country’s healthcare 
system and reforms. 
The biggest concern. The lack of hospital infrastructure and 
resources to support the ideal process is the most pressing issue. 
Data unveiled the health agenda focused on reforms, accelerated 
delivery of services, promoting the well-being of health workers, and providing 
greater support. Responding to the report, in acknowledging the government’s 
accountability to the nation’s healthcare sector. DOH promised to build more 
and better infrastructure by investing heavily. 
The President had referenced his administration’s development plan 
(PDP), this crisis is linked to years of incapacity and lacking investment in 
healthcare.  
This House Bill seeks to create programs aimed to attain national goals 
and promote well-being for all experts and workers. To bolster the construction 
of more hospital buildings/healthcare facilities. 
 
   
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
 
 
 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.    
 


 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
 
       House Bill No. 10798 
__________________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
__________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF MORE HOSPITAL 
INFRASTRUCTURES AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, TO 
PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHT OF EVERY FILIPINO TO 
QUALITY, EQUITABLE, CULTURE-BASED, AND COMPLETE 
HEALTHCARE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  
SHORT TITLE. - This Act shall be known as the " 
Hospital Buildings and Healthcare Facilities Act of 2024 ". 
SECTION 2.  
DECLARATION OF POLICY - It shall hereby be a 
declared the policy of the state to it shall hereby be a declared policy of the 
state to: 
a) Ensure sufficient healthcare programs and services for all, 
specifically those manufactured from domestically land-
based agricultural activities. 
b) Promote reasonable prices specially during times of 
calamities and in all cases of emergency situations. 


 
c) Take the lead role in order to provide the necessary 
resources, planning, organizational and control systems to 
optimize the delivery of appropriate healthcare. 
d) Provide adequate technical support, regulatory principles, 
and monetary guidelines. 
e) Initiate progress monitoring to all sectors actively involved. 
 
SECTION 3. 
HOSPITAL BUILDINGS/HEALTHCARE FACILITIES - shall 
be the heart of the formal education system. It is where students learn. Schools 
shall have a single aim of providing the best possible education for all learners. 
Governance of education shall begin at the national level it is at the regions, 
divisions, schools and learning centers herein referred to as the field offices - 
where the policy and principle for the governance of basic education shall be 
translated into programs, projects and services developed, adapted and offered 
to fit local needs. 
The state shall encourage local initiatives for improving the quality of basic 
education. The state shall ensure that the values, needs and aspirations of a 
school community are reflected in the program of education for the children, 
out-of-school youth and adult learners. Schools and learning centers shall be 
empowered to make decisions on what is best for the learners they serve. 
 
 
SECTION 4.  
ESTABLISHMENT 
OF 
A 
SELF-GOVERNING 
NATIONAL ADVISORY-CONSTRUCTION COUNCIL. — There shall be 
established a self-governing advisory council to be headed by the DOH. 
The National Advisory Council shall formulate its own implementing 
rules and regulations to govern its proceedings. The Council shall choose its 
official home base and organize a staffing protocol to aid and carry out its 
functions. 


 
Existing structures, facilities and equipment’s that would meet the 
standard requirements could be upgraded to effectively serve and be 
designated as such in compliance with rules and regulations set by the 
Department of Health(DOH). 
SECTION 5.  
REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL - for purposes of 
this act, to execute the foregoing policy, there shall hereby be created the 
Regional advisory Council. This council shall have the overall authority and 
responsibility and accountability for crafting and formulating a comprehensive 
program for the implementation of hospital construction.  
The regional advisory councils and NAC shall have, as members, 
representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Health 
(DOH), Commission on Audit (COA). The regional advisory councils and NAC 
shall also have, as additional members, two (2) representatives from accredited 
nongovernmental organizations working or monitoring school construction 
and service programs. 
The Council shall formulate its own implementing rules and regulations 
to govern its proceedings. The Council shall choose its official home base and 
organize a staffing protocol to aid and carry out its functions. 
 
SECTION 6.  
CRITERIA FOR CONSTRUCTION – it should meet 
the prescribed standards of DOH in accordance with the DPWH regulations 
and protocols. 
SECTION 7.  
RECURRING ASSESSMENT. - Every three (3) years 
after the effectivity of this Act, the (NAC) shall conduct an impact assessment 
to evaluate the quality of the buildings/facilities, the reliability and the 
program implementation should go and shall be completed as scheduled. 
The amounts indicated in this Act shall be made available to the 
members of all the (NAC) during the implementation of this Act. 


 
Provided, that every three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, the 
(DPWH) shall recommend to the DBM whether the cash grants shall be 
adjusted to its present value using the current price index, as published by the 
PSA 
Provided, further, That the NAC shall ensure that the grant amounts are 
sufficient to make a positive impact on the entire education sector and are 
delivered timely. 
SECTION 8.  
SETTINGS 
FOR 
ENTITLEMENT. - 
All 
qualified/accredited contractors/suppliers shall comply with all of the 
following required conditions as set by the NAC for continued program 
eligibility, in accordance with the building code. 
 
SECTION 9. 
MANDATES OF THE COUNCIL – to institutionalize 
all foregoing policies, the Republic of the Philippines shall focus all its 
development plans and programs towards the achievement of the National 
goals. 
The DPWH and the DBM shall provide the necessary technical and 
financial assistance to ensure the effective operation and construction of the 
school infrastructures/facilities. 
SECTION 10.  
NONCOMPLIANCE 
WITH 
TERMS 
AND 
CONDITIONS. - The responsible person of a reported who fails to comply with 
conditions set forth by the (NAC) shall at first be notified in writing and the 
payment of shall immediately be terminated. After review (3) months of the 
noncompliance, the person/entity shall be subject to case management 
process of the NAC. 
Should the so notified persist in not complying with the conditions 
within a period of three (3) months since the day of receipt of the written 
notification, they shall be removed from the program. 
 


 
SECTION 11. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — 
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM), shall provide the necessary technical and 
financial assistance to ensure the effective operations and build-up. 
SECTION 12.  
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. — the Department of 
Health (DOH).  
The DOH hall serve as the central planning, coordinating, implementing 
and monitoring body of the Program, it shall 
 
SECTION 13.  
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. — 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of 
Health (DOH), and other concerned government and private agencies, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 14. 
TRANSITORY PROVISION – Existing industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
three (3) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 15. 
APPROPRIATION. — The amount necessary for the 
initial implementation to fund this act shall be charged under the Department 
of Health (DOH).  
The amount of fifty (50) billion pesos (Php 50, 000,000,000.00) 
necessary for the initial implementation to fund this act shall be charged under 
the Department of Health (DOH).  
The amount determined by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) for the implementation of this Act shall be charged under 
the existing funding of the Department of Health (DOH).  


 
Thereafter such amounts necessary for the successive and continuous 
implementation of this Act, including the operations maintenance of reserves 
shall be automatically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
Thereafter, such amounts necessary for the initial implementation of this act 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).  
The agencies concerned shall provide for the continued maintenance, 
operation, and management of all the facilities and equipment’s. 
SECTION 16. 
CONTINUING APPROPRIATION. - The Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to include annually 
in the next five (5) years, in the President's Program of expenditures for 
submission to Congress, and release, an amount not less than ten (10) billion 
pesos (Php 10, OOO, OOO, OOO.OO) for the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 17. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Secretary of (DOH) shall 
submit periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on 
actions to be taken by Congress and Senate and the appropriate department, 
and in order to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act. 
The DOH shall annually publish a full report of the construction 
progress, for the implementation of the previous fiscal year.  
The said report shall include financial disclosures, number of schools 
for construction/renovation, and recommendations to the National Advisory 
Council, to the President and to both chambers of Congress on how to further 
enhance it. This report shall be submitted to Congress before the submission 
of the President’s Budget Message. 
SECTION 18.  
MANDATORY MONITORING. - The DOH shall 
monitor the implementation of the program and report its status at least once 
every three (3) years in order to ensure the attainment of the national goals 
enumerated in of this Act to the House of Representatives and the Senate of 
the Philippines. 


 
SECTION 19.  
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after 
the effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts 
to be appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
programs in the agriculture sector and shall make recommendations, based 
on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress. 
SECTION 20.  
INDEPENDENT 
MONITORING 
AGENCY. - 
An 
Independent Monitoring Agency shall be created at the regional, and 
national levels, composed of representatives from the private sector to 
complement the monitoring activities of the DOH and DPWH to provide 
feedback for appropriate action.  
It shall submit a report on the results of its monitoring activities 
relative to the implementation of the program to the respective regional 
advisory councils and the NAC. 
Section 21.  
PROGRAM CLARITY— The DOH shall regularly and 
timely post and update on its website a report of financial disclosures and 
information about beneficiaries based on geographical area, social, economic 
and cultural circumstances. 
SECTION 22.  
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. — If any provision of this 
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions which 
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 23.  
REPEATING CLAUSE. — All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, contrary 
to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby modified, amended or repealed 
accordingly. 
SECTION 24.  
EFFECTIVITY. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,