Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  1303 
Introduced by HON. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to create in the Municipality of Gandara, Province of Samar a hospital to 
be known as the Gandara District Hospital.  
The Philippine Constitution provides that “The State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them”. The said constitutional 
provision mandates the adoption of measures to facilitate the delivery of health-related services to 
all Filipino citizens. However, it cannot be denied that there is still an existing clamor among many 
Filipinos for a more efficient means of delivery of these health-related services in the entire 
country. Such clamor is rooted in the lack of accessible health facilities, such as hospitals, in many 
areas of the country. This is even magnified by the increasing population and the presence of an 
ongoing pandemic.  
The Municipality of Gandara is a vibrant community with a population of 35,242 based on 
the 2022 census. Moreover, it has been identified as a potential area for the establishment of a 
hospital, equipped with complete health care services, accessibility and availability, and quality 
health care services to the vulnerable constituents of Gandara and the surrounding areas therein.  
This proposed legislative measure will surely advance the status of the health care system 
in the town of Gandara.   
Foregoing premises considered; the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
Representative, First District of Samar 
July 7, 2025
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  1303 
Introduced by HON. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A HOSPITAL IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF GANDARA, PROVINCE OF SAMAR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
GANDARA DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the Congress 
Assembled:  
Section 1. Establishment. There shall be established, under the direct supervision of the 
Department of Health (DOH) in the Municipality of Gandara, First District of the Province of 
Samar, to be known as the Gandara District Hospital. 
Section 2. Appropriations.  The Department of Health (DOH) shall provide funding for the 
establishment and operation of the said hospital in the town of Gandara, Samar. The Secretary of 
Health shall include in the Department’s budget the appropriate capital outlay for the hospital 
construction and equipment requirements, and adequate operating funds of the facility thereafter.  
Section 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months from the effectivity of 
this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) shall issue the corresponding Implementing Rules and 
Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this Act.  
Section 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,