Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
TO INTEGRATE AND STRENGTHEN PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE INTO 
THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a study, it was noted that the movement toward palliative care and hospice 
care services began for the sake of patients suffering from cancer.1 Eventually, this 
was extended to terminally ill patients or patients with life-threatening illnesses.2  
According to the Department of Health (DOH), with the implementation of 
Republic Act. No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and Republic 
Act No. 11223 or the Universal Care Act, the right to access palliative care as part of 
quality and holistic healthcare must be guaranteed at all levels.3 In light of this, a 
measure to integrate and strengthen palliative and hospice care is needed to ensure 
that Filipinos, if given the choice, may receive the standard of care they deserve, no 
matter their economic class. 
According to the Global Directory of Palliative Care Institutions and 
Organizations, there are a total of 38 institutions that provide palliative and hospice 
care. However, accessibility, quality, and its integration into our healthcare system 
must be established by this proposed measure. 
Hence, the passage of this bill is sought. 
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140826/ 
2 Ibid. 
3 https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-LEADS-OBSERVANCE-OF-NATIONAL-HOSPICE-AND-
PALLIATIVE-CARE-MONTH-2021 
October 6, 2022
2:22 pm
5436




Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
TO INTEGRATE AND STRENGTHEN PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE INTO 
THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 
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 “Palliative and 
Hospice Care Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State guarantees the right of the 
people to quality health care; ensuring that the health status of the people is to be 
made as good as possible over the entire life cycle. As the Constitution mandates, an 
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development shall endeavor to 
make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all people at 
affordable cost even to patients suffering life-threatening illnesses. 
SECTION. 3. Defining Palliative and Hospice Care. – It refers to an approach 
that improves the quality of life of patients with life-threatening, complex, and chronic 
illnesses or those experiencing progressively debilitating diseases beyond any benefit 
from curative or definitive treatment, regardless of life expectancy. The approach 
covers the prevention and relief of suffering by means o early identification, 
assessment, and management of pain and symptoms. 
SECTION 4. Accreditation. – Hospitals, private hospice institutions, medical 
practitioners, health workers, and social workers for palliative and hospice care shall 
be accredited by the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH, in partnership with the 
National Palliative and Hospice Care Council of the Philippines (Hospice Philippines, 
Inc.) shall formulate the rules and guidelines for accreditation to ensure a standard 
quality of palliative care services. 
SECTION 5. Quality Assurance. – Key elements necessary to ensure quality 
palliative care services in accredited hospitals and hospices include the following: 
5436


a) Adequate number of multi-specialty personnel; 
b) Assured financing for health and custodial services; 
c) Clear and practical standards for facilities and services; 
d) Appropriately designed and equipped facilities; and 
e) Regular and systemic supervision and reporting to the DOH. 
 
Upon the passage of this Act, the DOH shall conduct an inspection of all 
hospitals offering palliative and hospice care and private hospice institutions, to ensure 
that accredited hospitals and hospices meet the required standards enumerated 
herein. 
 
SECTION 6. Mandatory Palliative and Hospice Services. – All government 
and private hospitals shall provide palliative and hospice care services to patients with 
life-threatening illnesses. 
 
Hospitals are required to link with a referral and aftercare network that is 
organized and made functional by all provincial, city, and municipal governments 
under the guidance and monitoring of the DOH. 
 
Rural health units, health centers, and health offices are required to develop 
home-based or near home palliative care program in coordination with government-
owned and privately-owned hospices in the local government units. 
 
SECTION 7. Education and Training of Health Care Professionals and 
Volunteers. – The DOH, in partnership with Hospice Philippines, Inc., and other 
accredited members, shall develop the education and training modules for health care 
professionals and workers. 
 
The Commission on Higher Education shall integrate courses on the principles 
and practice of Palliative Care and Hospice Care into the curriculum of Medicine and 
Nursing, as well as in all paramedical and allied health courses.  
  
SECTION 8. Continuing Research. – The DOH, in coordination with the 
Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of 
Science and Technology, shall ensure continuing research and collection of data on 
palliative and hospice care and the availability of funds for this purpose. 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Agency. – The DOH-Office for Technical Services, 
in coordination with other offices of the Department, is hereby mandated to perform 
the following functions: 
a) Promote palliative care in the Philippines through advocacy and social 
marketing; 
b) Formulate policies and develop standards on quality palliative and hospice 
care; 
c) Monitor the enforcement of standards and implementation of the program 
on palliative and hospice care; 
d) Mobilize and generate resources for sustainability of operation; 
e) Network with international hospice associations; 
f) Coordinate research undertakings with other institutions and agencies; 


g) Serve as a repository of data for policy-making and maintenance of palliative 
care registry; 
h) Organize and develop continuing training programs for physicians, nurses, 
physical therapists, and other professional health workers and volunteer 
workers in the field of palliative care; 
i) Serve as the coordinating center of a national palliative care network located 
in the different regions of the country;  
j) inspection of all hospitals offering palliative and hospice care and private 
hospice institutions; and 
k) Establish a Code of Ethics and standards in the practice of palliative health 
care.  
 
SECTION 10. PhilHealth Benefit Package. – Pursuant to this Act, the 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall increase its present benefit 
package to include inpatient palliative services, outpatient hospice care, and home-
based palliative care.  
 
SECTION 12. Funding Support. – All non-profit, DOH-accredited palliative 
and hospice care institutions that are serving indigent patients shall qualify as 
institutional beneficiaries under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office – 
Institutional Financial Assistance Program: Provided, That the hospice care 
institutions comply with the documentary and other requirements of the said Program.  
 
SECTION 13. Tax Exemptions. – Any donation or bequest made to the DOH 
that is intended for palliative and hospice care shall be exempt from the donor’s tax 
and the same shall be considered as an allowable deduction from the gross income 
of the donor, in accordance with the provision of the National Internal Revenue Code 
of 1997, as amended: Provided, That such donations shall be disposed of, transferred 
or sold.  
 
SECTION 14. Appropriations. – The initial amount necessary to implement 
the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of 
the Department of Health. Thereafter, such sums as maybe necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) 
days from the approval of this Act, the DOH, after consultation with the Hospice 
Philippines, Inc., shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the 
provisions of this Act.  
 
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. – If any provision or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
 
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.  
 


SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,