Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Agusan del Nofte, 2nd District Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA
A}{ ACT
UPGRADING THE CABADBARAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN
CABADBARAN CITY, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE INTO A
LEYEL II GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE CABADBARAN
GENERAL HOSPITAL, PLACING IT TJNDER THE MANAGEMENT AND
CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, INCREASING ITS BED
CAPACITY TO 1OO BEDS, UPGRADING ITS PROFESSIONAL HEALTH
CARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES, AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF
ITS MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS TIIEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Agusan del Norte is a third-class province with Cabadbaran Ciq/ as its provincial
capital. The province has no Level II hospital within its jurisdiction. While it has a provincial
hospital, a Level I hospital, it is located in Butuan City, which is a highly urbanized city in
which the provincial government of Agusan del Norte has no political jurisdiction being an
independent city. In fact, data pertaining to the origin of the provincial hospital's patients
reveals that almost 70% are residents of Butuan City but the funds spent for the medical
attention extended to them come flom the provincial local government.
Among the three district hospitals in Agusan del Norte, Cabadbaran District Hospital
is strategically located at the capital city ofCabadbaran, having six out often municipalities in
the province are within its coverage area.
Section 11, Article XIII ofthe 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an
integrated and c-omprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.
There shall be priority for the needs ofthe underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and
children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.
Furthermore, Section 15, Article ll of the Constitution declares that the State shall
protect and promote the right to health ofthe people and instill health consciousness among
them.
May 31, 2023
2:36 pm
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In line with these constitutional provisions, Republic Act No. I 1223, otherwise known
as the "Universal Health Care Act" (UHC), was enacted. The UHC provides the legal basis of
health reforms necessary to realize the aspiration of the country to become a high-income
society by 2040. To complement the UHC, the Department of Health (DOH) also crafted the
Philippine Health Facilities Development Plan @HFDP) 2020-2040 which outlines the
required investments for health facilities. Both the UHC and the PHFDP promotes the creation
ofa province or city-wide health care provider networks (HCPN) where health facilities are
integrated to provide coordinated and comprehensive healthcare.
One of the minimum requirements of a functional HCPN is the presence of one Level
I and one Level 2 hospital within the geographical area ofthe province or city. Unfortunately,
in the case ofthe Province of Agusan del Norte, there is no public or private Level 2 hospital
within its territory, that can cater to the needs of its population. Rubbing salt to the wound, the
Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital, the only Level 1 Hospital in the province, is located in
Butuan City, a highly urbanized city which is separate and independent from the province.
No less than the PHFDP presents the dire need ofAgusan del Norte for an integrated
and complete healthcare system which will protect and promote its population's health and
boost their productivity and contribution to the economy. Under the PHFDP, the Province of
Agusan del Norte has been classified under Category 1 or those provinces or highly urbanized
cities which have low capacity and high gap in health facilities. In fact, to be on track with the
PHFDP, the Province of Agusan del Norte needs to build 14 Primary Care Facilities and
increase its Level I and 2 beds by 8l and 47, respectiv ely, by 2025.
The targets under the PHFDP for the development of health services in Agusan del
Norte is fiscally insurmountable without renationalizing health facilities. Otherwise, there will
be constant and imminent danger that hospitals will be downgraded to infirmaries, which can
only provide basic health services, to the detriment ofthe Agusanons. Thus, essential to the
stability and success ofthe HCPN in Agusan del Norte is placing at least one Level I and one
Level 2 hospitals under the management, control and supervision ofthe DOH.
ln this regard, the bill aims to upgrade the Cabadbaran District Hospital to a Level II
Ceneral Hospital situated in the capital city ofthe province. Similarly. this measure seeks to
transfer the hospital's management and control to the DOH, to expand its present bed capacity
and to enhance its healthcare seruices and facilities.
ln view ofthe foregoing, approval ofthis bill is earnest
R
CORVERA
sentative
I Norte, 2nd District


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon Ciry
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Agusan del Norte, 2nd District Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA
AN ACT
UPGRADINGTHE CABADBARAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN
CABADBARAN CITY, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE INTO A
LE\'EL II GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE CABADBARAN
GENERAL HOSPITAL, PLACING IT UNDER THE MANAGEMENT AND
CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, INCREASING ITS BED
CAPACITY TO 1OO BEDS, UPGRADING ITS PROFESSIONAL HEALTH
CARE SERVICf,,S AND FACILITIES, AUTHORIZING TIIE INCREASE OF
ITS MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS TIIEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
Section l. The Cabadbaran District Hospital in Cabadbaran City, Province ofAgusan del
Norte is hereby upgraded into a Level II General Hospital to be known as the Cabadbaran
General Hospital, which shall be placed under the management and control ofthe Department
of Health (DOH).
Section 2. The authorized bed capacity of the Hospital shall be increased from twenty
five (25) beds to one hundred (100) beds, to be implemented for a period ofnot more than two
(2) years fiom the effectivity of this Act. Any future increase in the hospital's bed capacity
shall be based on its approved hospital development plan
Section j, The existing professional health care services, medical equipment and
i'acilities, operating funds and construction olthe needed infrastructure ofthe Hospital shall be
upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to the increase in its bed capacity as provided
in the immediately preceding Section.
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Section 4. The DOH shall, in coordination with the Department of Budget and
Management and the Civil Service Commission, and upon prior consultation with the Chief of
Hospital ofthe Hospital, determine the additional plantilla positions to be created and filled for
the eflbctive implementation of this Act.
Section 5. The amount necessary for the upgrade, including the acquisition ofadditional
medical equipment and facilities, and the construction ofneeded infrastructure shall be charged
against the current year's appropriations ofthe DOH. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary
for the continued implementation ofthis Act and continuous operation ofthe Hospital shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 6. If, for any reason, any section, clause or term ofthis Act is held to be illegal,
invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration shall remain in full
lorce and effect.
Section 7. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions ofthis Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Olficial
Gozette or in a newspaper ofgeneral circulation.
Approved,