SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
) 
Second Regu la r Sess ion 
)
»  H IN A  T  t,
S.B. No. 
1586
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•17 
SEP 13 
P 5 :1 8
Introduced by Senator JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY 
OF 
SURALLAH, 
PROVINCE 
OF THE 
SOUTH 
COTABATO, AND APPROPRIATING DJNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the "State slwll 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
cilucuuO i Lu Jiiulic eSScluiui gOuuS, licuLul, u)lu Oulc/ SOClui ScTViCcS uDuiluhlc tv ull thc
people at affordable cost."
During the deliberations and subsequent approval of the bUl bv both 
houses of tl-ie prevwus Congress, it was reported that DOH Region XII 
presentiv runs the eotabato Kegionai and Medical Center in Cotabato Citv 
where most of its patients come from Cotabato Citv and Maguindanao 
province, which is part of tlie Autonomous Region in the Muslim Mindanao 
fARMMV Tliis has meant tliat patients from most parts of Region XII who 
need special medical attention are brought to Davao Citv instead of Cotabato 
Citv due to distance and securitv concerns, effectively rendering 
SOCCSKSARGEN with no regional health facihty of its own.
A feasibilitv study provided bv the Provincial Health Officer and EX3H 
Center ^ for Health Development fCHD) -XII has recommended the 
eSlduiiSiuiieiu ui a Sepdidte leiiiOiial iieallli faCililv lOi Region XII. EcOiiOiniC 
and public health benefits are likely to proceed from the establishment of the 
Soccsksargen General Hospital, according to the feasibUitv study. Among the 
expected benefits include reduced morbidity, lower martalitv and savings in 
terms of medical expenses in tlie region. Moreover, bv virtue of Executive 
Order No. 304 wlrich was promulgated in 2004, wlrich declared Koronadal 
Citv as the seat of administration of Region XII, a legal basis for pressing the 
need to establish a regional health facility in the Province of South Cotabato 
has since become existent for tlie past twelve (12) years.


Tliis bill, which was introduced durine the 16th Coneress, seeks to 
establish the SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL in tlie Municipality of 
Surallah, South Cotabato to improve access to medical services and a modem 
health facility for the 4.11 million Filipinos in Regional XII.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
t.  i
,v . .. .. 
::6 f'U W
*<. i
» E, 1\ A  1 E
S.B. No. 
1 5 8 6
*17 
SEP 13 
P 5  ;18
Ki:C'-i' . ' .
Introduced by Senator JOSEPH VICTOR G. EjERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY 
OF 
SURALLAH, 
PROVINCE 
OF THE 
SOUTH 
COTABATO, A.ND A-PPROPRLATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTIO N  I. T here .shall he e.staW ished a peneraJ hnsnitaJ in  the
2 
Municipality of Surallah, Province of South Cotabato, to be known as tlie
3 
SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital.
4 
.SE9- * 1 2 3 4 5 * 7- .The Department of Health (DOH) in consultation and
5 
coordination with local government officials concerned and the Mindanao
fi 
D evelopm ent A nthoritv iM inD A ). shall prom ulsrate th e n eressarv  rules an d
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regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 3. Tlie provincial government of South Cotabato shall provide 
funding for the establishment of the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital in 
the Municipality of Surallah, South Cotabato. The Secretary ol Health shall
in rln d e in th e D ep artm en t's nrnaram s. sub sid y  sn n rto rt for the ra n ita l outlav
requirements of the said general hospital
SEC. 4. Tlie DOH Regional Director of tlie Center for Health 
Development, Region XII, and the Chief of the SOCCCSKSARGEN General 
Hospital, in coordination with the concerned local government units, shall 
also d ra w  n n  a m orhanism  for sp u rrin a  snnnlpm pntarv h in d s to a u a m p n t its
operations. 
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SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen davs after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,