Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3120
HOUSE BILLNO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “PINGPING” I. TEJADA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill which seeks to upgrade, modernize and convert the Cotabato
Provincial Hospital in the Province of Cotabato into a tertiary level Regional Hospital
to be known as North Cotabato Regional Hospital was introduced by the
undersigned Jose “Pingping” |. Tejada as House Bill 2107 in the Seventeenth (17*)
Congress.

‘The Philippine constitution expressly recognizes the people's right to health.
Article I! contains the Declaration of Principles and State Policies in which the
constitution sets forth the following directive principle: “The state shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among
them”. To attain this, the national government have initiated the Universal Health
Care (UHC) program which aims to provide the highest quality of health care that is
accessible, efficient, equitably distributed, adequately funded, fairly financed and
appropriately used by an informed and empowered public. In the advancement of
the UHC program the government identified to pursue three strategic thrusts among
those is to pursue an improved access to quality hospitals and health care facilities.

The Cotabato Provincial Hospital formerly known as Kidapawan Emergency
Hospital was established through Presidential Decree No 733. After the hospital was
devolved in 1993, the Provincial Government of Cotabato has since invested
tremendous amount for the development and upgrading of the Cotabato Provincial
Hospital from a 50-bed capacity level hospital to a 143-bed capacity-secondary level
hospital as declared by DOH in 2008. Hospital revenues have seen a dramatic
increase from 21 million in 2008 to 92 million in 2013. In 2013 the average
occupancy rate was recorded at One Hundred Nineteen Percent (119 %) which is
equivalent to 170 patients admitted per day. Despite the fact that hospital services
are among the most expensive interventions in health care system the Provincial
Government has maintained a position not to generate profit from its health


investments, adopting a socialized payment scheme where those who can afford to
pay must pay and contribute to the health system while indigents must be fully or
partially subsidized.

Due to increasing hospital occupancy rate, the Cotabato Provincial Hospital’s
MOOE allotment from the Provincial Government cannot sustain the increasing
demands of patients seeking consultation, admission and treatment. Limited funding
resources hinder the rendering of quality care to patients. To ensure that the quality
of health services extended by the Cotabato Provincial Hospital remain at par with
the demands of the time there is an imperative need to convert, modernize and
upgrade the Cotabato Provincial Hospital into a tertiary level regional hospital.

Hence the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JOSE “PING! ‘TEJADA
3° District, Prd¥ince of Cotabato


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._ 3120

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “PINGPING” |. TEJADA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE UPGRADE, MODERNIZATION AND CONVERSION OF THE
COTABATO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE OF COTABATO INTO THE
NORTH COTABATO REGIONAL HOSPITAL UNDER THE CONTROL, MANAGEMENT
AND SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

Section 1. The Cotabato Provincial Hospital is hereby upgraded, modernized and
converted into a Regional Hospital to be known as the NORTH COTABATO REGIONAL
HOSPITAL

Section 2. The upgrading shall provide the provincial hospital in the Province of
Cotabato with the capability of a tertiary level hospital increasing therefore its bed
capacity into three hundred (300)

Section 3. Upon its upgrading and modernization, the North Cotabato Regional
Hospital shall be under the direct control, management and supervision of the
Department of Health.

Section 4. The Department of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general

Approved.