Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4234

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY REP. JB BERNOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution, through Section 15, Article II, provides that the State
shall “protect the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them.” This right is not only limited to the provision of primary health care made by
barangay health centers and rural health units, but must also extend to secondary- and
tertiary-level health care. All communities, however far they are from the urban
centers where most medical facilities are located, must be ensured access to quality
and accessible healthcare. Thus, it is imperative that such facility exists nearby these
communities where it is needed the most.

Currently, the La Paz District Hospital, situated in Barangay Poblacion, La Paz,
Abra, is government hospital classified as an ‘infirmary’ and has a twenty-five (25) bed
capacity. Through this Bill, we are seeking to change the name of the hospital to La Paz
General Hospital and to increase its authorized bed capacity to one hundred (100)
beds to reflect its greater commitment to deliver quality healthcare to the people of La
Paz and its surrounding municipalities of Danglas, Lagayan, San Juan, Tineg, and
Langiden.

Itis hoped that the approval and realization of this measure will also be a factor
and a reason for Abrefio healthcare professionals to remain in our Province to give
back to the people who need immediate medical attention.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Lone District, Apfa


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4234
HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY REP. JB BERNOS

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE LA PAZ DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LA PAZ, PROVINCE OF ABRA INTO A GENERAL
HOSPITAL UNDER THE FULL AUTHORITY AND TECHNICAL
SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO BE KNOWN AS:
THE LA PAZ GENERAL HOSPITAL, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY
FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25) TO ONE HUNDRED (100) BEDS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

1 SECTION 1. The La Paz District Hospital in the Municipality of La Paz, Province of
2. Abrais hereby converted into a general hospital under the full authority and technical
3 supervision of the Department of Health to be known as La Paz General Hospital.

4 Sec. 2. The bed capacity of the La Paz General Hospital is hereby increased from
5 _ twenty-five (25) to one hundred (100) beds.

6 Sec. 3. The existing service facilities and professional healthcare services of the La Paz
7 General Hospital are also hereby upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to
8 the bed capacity increase as provided in Section 2 hereof.

9 Sec. 4. The existing workforce of the La Paz General Hospital shall also be
10 correspondingly increased. The Department of Health, in coordination with the


10

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Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission, shall
determine the additional plantilla positions to be created and filled up upon prior
consultation with the La Paz General Hospital.

See. 5. All accounts and expenses of the La Paz General Hospital shall be audited by
the Commission on Audit.

Sec. 6. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's
programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 7. The Department of Health shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 8. The Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,