EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
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•If NOV-4 P2 23
SENATE
S. No.1133
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
CREATING 
ONE 
REGIONAL 
HEART 
CENTER 
IN  
EACH 
OF 
THE 
ADM INISTRATIVE REGIONS IN  THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The World Health Organization (WHO) tags cardiovascular diseases as the 
number one cause of deaths in the world. The annual global death toll from such 
diseases reaches around 17.5 million, which is equivalent to three for every ten 
deaths reported.1
The Department of Health (DOH) in one of its studies revealed that around 
170,000 die of cardiovascular diseases every year translating to 19 deaths every 
hour.2 Data from the Philippine Heart Center also show that 47.5% per 100,000 
population die because of heart attack while 25% die of hypertension and other 
forms of heart diseases.3 Cardiovascular diseases are also number five in the list of 
deadly diseases affecting the Filipino children.4
The vulnerability of the human heart requires a specialized cardiac care that is 
performed only by professional and trained heart specialists, in a facility that is 
equipped with state-of-the-art cardiac equipment and with the necessary medical
1 IUtp://wwwallheadlstnbutor,coin/phlllppincs-licnit-,slnike-canccr/
2 hUp://www.pchid.dost.gov.pli/index.php/ncws/library-health-ncws/4l23H.'aidiovasail.ir-cliscase-js-still-llic-counli'y-s-lop-killcr-read-more- 
http-lTfeslylc-Inquircr-nel-l 78604-03 rdiovascular-discasc-is-s(ill-llK'-counliys-l<ip-killcr-ix7/Jkhgjk4/u-(bllow-iis-itK)uirerdotnclHin-twiUer- 
i nq u i rcidol nct-on-faccb<xik.
3 http://w w w .plic.gov.plv'igg/index.php?p=coiiimitincnt&s=pathway.
4 Ibid.


supplies. This specialized cardiac care more often than not, is costly and not 
accessible to many Filipinos living outside of the greater Metro Manila. For instance, 
the Philippine Heart Center, which is the country's specialty hospital for heart 
diseases, reported around 15,000 admissions every year. However, 55% of the 
admitted patients came from the greater Metro Manila area while the 45% were 
from the rest of the country.
The above data would indicate that Filipinos living near the metropolis have 
the greater advantage in accessing specialized care from the Philippine Heart Center. 
Meanwhile, patients coming from the rural provinces were to some extent, deprived 
o f the same quality of cardiac care that the specialty hospital provides or spend a 
fortune to travel to Manila for treatment of complex cardiovascular cases.
It is in this regard that this bill aims to create one Regional Heart Center in 
each of the administrative regions in the country. Hence, the government ensures 
that equal access and privilege to avail of specialized and quality cardiac care is 
extended to a larger population of Filipinos. The Regional Heart Centers shall be 
administered by the DOH and may be created within the existing DOH Regional 
Hospitals and Medical Centers. The Centers shall be equipped with essential cardiac 
care equipment and necessary medical supplies and shall tap the services of 
professional heart specialists and other professionals who shall render services at a 
subsidized cost.
The creation of these Regional Heart Centers will also unburden the Philippine 
Heart Center located in the National Capital Region. 
It would also allow patients 
from the provinces especially those who do not have adequate resources to avail of 
immediate and more affordable cardiac care without the need to travel long 
distance. Thus, lowering the deaths associated with heart diseases in the long run.
In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
.1133
S. No
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
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AN ACT
CREATING 
ONE 
REGIONAL 
HEART 
CENTER 
IN  
EACH 
OF 
THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN  THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. 
Short Tide. -  This Act shall be known as the "Regional Heart 
Centers Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared as the policy of the State 
to secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized health 
services and to address the increasing incidences of deadly diseases like 
cardiovascular illness in the country. It is also the policy of the state to ensure that 
every region in the country shall have the equal opportunity to benefit from public 
specialty healthcare services. Towards this end, the State shall create regional heart 
centers throughout the country.
Sec. 3. Regional Heart Centers. -  There is hereby created one (1) Regional 
Heart Center in each of the administrative regions in the country. The Regional 
Heart Centers shall provide specialized cardiac care services for Filipinos suffering 
from cardiovascular diseases with special consideration for the marginalized 
members of the society: Provided, That the Regional Heart Centers shall pursue 
excellence in developing and establishing the highest level of cardiovascular-related 
training and research for physician and paramedical personnel: Provided, further. 
That the operation and maintenance of the Regional Heart Centers shall be under 
the Department of Health (DOH): Provided, even further. That the Regional Heart 
Centers may be created within the existing DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical


1 
Centers as deemed feasible by the DOH: Provided, finally, That the Regional Heart
2 
Centers shall provide comparable quality of cardiac care as that of the Philippine
3 
Heart Center.
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Sec. 
4. 
Appropriations. 
-  The fund 
requirement necessary for the
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implementation of this Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the Regional
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Heart Centers shall be charged against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums
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as may be necessary shall be included in the subsequent annual General
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Appropriations Act under the budget of the DOH.
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Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after
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the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management
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shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of
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this Act.
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Sec. 6 . Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days following
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its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
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Gazette.
Approved,
//m ksb c