Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NooS27_

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 (LGC) and revert to the national government the responsibility
of delivering field health and hospital services as well as other tertiary health services.

In an effort at decentralizing government functions and responsibilities, the LGC
transferred the duty of providing basic services including health, social services,
agriculture, environment and natural resources from the national government to local
government units (LGUs). The LGC also increased financial resources available to LGUs not
only by broadening their taxing powers, but also increasing their automatic share from
national taxes, i.e, the internal revenue allotment (IRA) shares of LGUs.

However, twenty- seven years since the enactment of the LGC, the devolution of
basic health services has proven to be more detrimental than beneficial to the common
folk. The IRA share of LGUs is limited to 40% of the national internal revenue which is
divided to provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays based proportionately on each
LGU’s population and area. Such distribution of IRA makes it difficult for most LGUs,
especially the smaller municipalities and barangays, to improve health services due to the
limited funding. Many LGUs have been unable to afford the salaries of health care workers
who opt instead to either work for the national hospitals funded directly by the
Department of Health (DOH), private institutions, or even overseas where salaries and
income incentives are better. The IRA distribution also affects the improvement of health
ies and the availability of even the most essential medicines.

In addition, health care is also vulnerable to the local political landscape and
changing priorities of each LGU administration. Depending on the needs of each locality,
leaders may prioritize other programs such as education or social work, leaving little
funding for other things. Health care thus becomes dependent on the quality of LGU
management.

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With the passage of this bill, it is hoped that qyality health care will be provided to
all Filipinos, especially the poor and marginalized sectors of society. Upgrading and better
maintenance of government health services and facilities is also foreseen with the transfer
of responsibility for health care to the national government, as well as the strengthening of
professional health manpower that is responsive to the people's needs.

Support for this bill is earnestly sought.

24 District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL-No, 0627

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF BASIC
HEALTH SERVICES DEVOLVED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs),
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Re-Nationalization of Devolved
Health Services and Facilities Act."

SECTION 2. Re-nationalization - All health services and facilities devolved to the local
government units (LGUs) are hereby re-nationalized and/or returned to the management,
supervision and control of the national government.

For this purpose, the following provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as
The Local Government Code of 1991 are hereby expressly repealed:

a, Section 17 (b) paragraph 1, paragraph 3, and paragraph 4 for health
services only;

b. Section 102 a (1), a (2), a (3), b (1), b (2), and b (3);
c. Section 103 (a) and (b);
d. Section 104;

e. Section 105; and
a

£. Other related provisions of the Local Goyernment Code that pertain to

devolved health services and facilities.

SECTION 3. Appropriation - Funding for the operation, capital expenses, continued
operations and other similar costs of the renationalized facilities and services shall
continue to be shouldered by the LGU concerned until such can be incorporated into the
General Appropriations Act of the immediately succeeding full fiscal year.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The DOH, in consultation with the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall formulate the Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR) within three (3) months after the enactment of this Act.


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SECTION S. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules
and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof shall not be
affected

thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.