TWENTIETH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

HOUSE BILL NO.2939

Introduced by Honorable Celso G. Regencia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them” (Article II, Section 15). It further mandates that “The State shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all
the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall
endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers” (Article XIII, Section 11).

To uphold these constitutional guarantees, Republic Act No. 11223, or the
Universal Health Care Act (UHC Act), was enacted to ensure that every Filipino
has access to comprehensive, quality, and affordable health services, without
incurring financial hardship. The law emphasizes the need for a strong public
health system where no one is left behind, especially the poor and marginalized.

lligan City, a highly-urbanized city in Northern Mindanao, has a rapidly
growing population now estimated at over 400,000 residents. It serves as a
commercial and service hub for nearby areas such as Lanao del Norte, Lanao del
Sur, Misamis Occidental, and parts of Misamis Oriental. Despite its strategic
location and growing demand for public services, Iligan lacks a fully equipped
public hospital under the management of the Department of Health (DOH) that
can accommodate advanced and specialized medical cases.


The city’s sole government hospital, the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial
Hospital, also known as the “City Hospital,” is owned and managed by the local
government unit (LGU). It faces significant constraints due to spatial limitations
and insufficient resources. The hospital is experiencing ongoing shortages of
essential medical equipment, modern diagnostic tools, and specialized services.
These limitations make it difficult to meet the growing demand for healthcare.
Consequently, patients frequently encounter prolonged waiting periods,
restricted treatment options, and, in some instances, are referred to private
hospitals or medical centers in other cities—an option that many cannot afford.

The nearest DOH-managed tertiary hospitals are the Northern Mindanao
Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro, more than 80 kilometers away, and the Amai
Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, around 50 kilometers from Iligan. These
hospitals are already operating at full capacity, serving their areas—Northern
Mindanao Medical Center caters to Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, and
parts of CARAGA, while Amai Pakpak primarily serves the Bangsamoro Region.
Referring patients from Iligan to these facilities adds unnecessary travel costs,
delays critical treatment, and places additional strain on already overburdened
hospitals. Many underserved families from Iligan City cannot afford the
transportation, lodging, and other expenses, leaving them with no choice but to
delay or forgo treatment.

The resource limitations at the City Hospital not only compromise the
quality of care but also place an immense burden on healthcare workers, who
remain committed to providing optimal services despite these challenges. The
situation underscores the urgent need for increased investment, infrastructure
development, and stronger policy support to strengthen the public healthcare
system in Iligan City.

The UHC Act mandates that every Filipino should have access to a well-
equipped hospital within a reasonable distance. Regrettably, the current
situation in Iligan falls short of this standard. The absence of a modern, DOH-
managed hospital forces residents to endure unnecessary hardships,
worsening health outcomes for many.

This bill proposes the establishment of a district hospital in Iligan City to
be known as the lligan Regional Medical Center. This state-of-the-art tertiary
healthcare facility aims to serve not only Iligan but also the neighboring
provinces. Unlike the existing City Hospital, which relies heavily on LGU


funding, the Iligan Regional Medical Center will be under the management of
the DOH, thereby ensuring access to enhanced resources, modern medical
facilities, and specialized services. This development is expected to ease the
strain on regional hospitals currently experiencing overcrowding and to
provide timely, life-saving care to those in urgent need.

The right to health is a fundamental promise enshrined in our
Constitution and laws. By establishing the Iligan Regional Medical Center, we
take a crucial step toward fulfilling that promise for the people of Iligan and
Northern Mindanao.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earne



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2935

Introduced by Honorable Celso G. Regencia

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN ILIGAN CITY TO BE KNOWN AS
THE “ILIGAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER” AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of the Filipino people and to instill health
consciousness among them. In line with this, the State shall ensure the
equitable provision of accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to
all, especially in underserved and growing urban areas such as Iligan City.

SECTION 2. Establishment of the Iligan Regional Medical Center - There
shall be established, under the direct control and supervision of the
Department of Health (DOH), a tertiary-level district hospital in Iligan City to be
known as the “Iligan Regional Medical Center.” The hospital shall provide
comprehensive, accessible, and affordable health care services to residents of
lligan City and nearby areas.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations- The DOH shall issue
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. Interagency and Community Collaboration- To ensure the
effective operation, sustainability, and community integration of the Iligan


Regional Medical Center, the DOH shall collaborate with the local government
of Iligan City, relevant educational institutions, and private stakeholders. Such
collaboration may include, but shall not be limited to, the training and
deployment of healthcare professionals, internship and residency programs,
public health research, medical outreach, and health promotion initiatives.

SECTION 5. Site Identification - The DOH, in coordination with the local
government of Iligan City, shall identify and secure an appropriate site for the
establishment of the Iligan Regional Medical Center, taking into consideration
factors such as accessibility, population density, and future expansion.

SECTION 6. Appropriations- The Secretary of Health shall immediately
include in the program of the DOH the establishment, operation and
maintenance of the Iligan Regional Medical Center, the initial funding of which
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations for the DOH.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the capital outlay and the continued
operation of the district hospital shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,