Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) started with an 
eight (8) bed capacity when it opened in 1929 as the Bohol Provincial Hospital. To 
accommodate the increasing number of patients in Tagbilaran City and neighboring 
municipalities, the bed capacity was increased one hundred fifty (150) in 1980 then to two 
hundred (200) 1992. Under Republic Act No. 7266, the bed capacity was increased to two 
hundred and twenty five (225) and finally to five hundred twenty five (525) under 
Republic Act No. 11324 in 2019. 
The health and medical services of GCGMH has accordingly and immensely 
evolved over the years. From a provider of basic health care, GCGMH is now a level three 
hospital with specialty centers and training facilities.   
GCGMH is nestled in a 1.10-hectare land in the middle of the business district of 
Bohol’s capital city of Tagbilaran.  
Due to the increasing number of patients in Tagbilaran City and nearby 
municipalities coupled with health as one of the centerpiece agenda of the then provincial 
administration, a 5-hectare lot in Barangay Malayo, Municipality of Cortes was donated 
to the Department of Health in 2013, and finalized in 2014, for the purpose of upgrading 
and modernizing the health services of the province through the GCGMH.  
The 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2013 further fueled the urgency for the 
modernization of the GCGMH. Hence, it was identified as one of the priority projects in 
the Central Visayas Rehabilitation Plan as well as the national Government’s 
reconstruction and recovery efforts for the province.  
The proposed modernization project will support the national health policy on 
Universal Health Program or the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan as embodied in the 
Department of Health Reform Agenda, and the attainment of the health-related 
Millenium Development Goals. The project will likewise support the Central Visayas 
regional strategic framework of providing adequate health facilities and resources in areas 
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that are unserved, underserved and affected by calamities as contained in the Central 
Visayas Updated Regional Development Plan 2014-2016. 
To implement the modernization program and the recent approval of the increased 
bed capacity, it is hereby proposed that GCGMH be converted to Governor Celestino 
Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex (GCGMMC) which shall be comprised of the 
Ambulatory Care Center in Tagbilaran City and the Multi-specialty Medical Center in the 
municipality of Cortes.  
The multi-specialty center in Cortes is envisioned to house a medical complex that 
will include modern facilities for critical care, diagnostics, dialysis, operating units, and 
patient care, among others. It is also envisioned to have an improved center for infectious 
diseases and tropical medicine as well as the first center in the province dedicated to 
mental health and behavioral sciences. 
Ultimately, the proposed bill aims to greatly improve the medical facilities and 
services as well as ensure accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the 
province. It will also decongest hospitals in nearby provinces especially in Cebu. Finally, 
it will open opportunities to Boholano professionals in the medical field. 
Management, operation, supervision and control of the extension medical facility 
in Cortes will be under one medical chief to ensure consistency of programs and services. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, the passage of this law is earnestly sought. 
REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
“AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE GOVERNOR CELESTINO GALLARES 
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (GCGMH) TO GOVERNOR CELESTINO 
GALLARES MULTI-SPECIALTY MEDICAL COMPLEX 
(GCGMMC) IN THE PROVINCE OF BOHOL AMENDING 
RA11324, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES.” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  The Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in the Province 
of Bohol, is hereby converted to Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical 
Complex (GCGMMC). 
SEC. 2.  The Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex shall 
be comprised of the Ambulatory Care Center in Tagbilaran City and the Multi-specialty 
Medical Center in the municipality of Cortes, Province of Bohol. It shall have branches in 
such locations as the GCGMMC may thereafter identify and in accordance with DOH 
programs and rules. 
SEC. 3. The existing services, capability, professional health care services and 
medical staff complement of the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital is hereby 
upgraded and increased to correspond with the requirements of the multi-specialty 
medical complex. 
SEC. 4. The increase in the service capability, health care services and bed 
capacity shall conform to the hospital development plan of the multi-specialty medical 
complex. 
SEC. 5. The Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex shall 
be under the control and supervision of the Department of Health. The day-to-day 
operation of the multi-specialty medical complex shall be supervised by a Medical Center 
Chief with Salary Grade 27.  
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The Ambulatory Care Center in Tagbilaran City and the Multi-specialty Medical 
Center in the municipality of Cortes shall be supervised by its respective Deputy Medical 
Chief with Salary Grade 25. The Deputy Medical Chief shall be a medical doctor with 
masters degree in accordance with civil service rules and regulations for positions of the 
same level. 
 
SEC. 6. The Department of Health shall determine the staffing pattern as 
approved by the Department of Budget and Management, appoint the officials and 
employees of the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex subject 
to civil service laws, rules and regulations, prescribe their duties and fix their 
compensation in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 6758 otherwise 
known as the “Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989”. 
 
SEC. 7. Republic Act No. 11324 entitled, “An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of 
Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City, Province 
of Bohol from Two Hundred Twenty-Five (225) to Five Hundred Twenty- Five (525) Beds 
and Upgrading its Services and Facilities, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 
7266, and Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes,” is hereby amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 8. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department’s 
program the operationalization of the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty 
Medical Complex. The initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year’s 
appropriation for the Department of Health. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the 
continued operation of the medical center shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC 9. The Secretary of Health shall be given the authority to determine the 
increase in bed capacity of the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical 
Complex as the need arises. 
 
SEC. 11. Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of 
Health shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Budget and Management, promulgate 
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 12. All acts, presidential decrees, executive orders and issuances inconsistent 
with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 13. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or inoperative, 
the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 14. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a 
newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,