Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no6 469

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Department of Health runs a total of 70 hospitals all over the country: 51
general hospitals and 19 specialty hospitals. These institutions provide healthcare
services to millions of patients, most of whom are indigent.

At present, there is a gap between the hospitals’ authorized bed capacity and
actual hospital bed occupancy rate. More often than not, these DOH-run hospitals
serve patients beyond their capacity. This often leads to the spilling over of patients
in public hospital hallways or delayed treatment.

Under current regulations, a DOH-run hospital can only increase its bed
capacity through legislation. But due to a possible deadlock between the two houses
of Congress, a bill seeking to increase the bed capacity of a hospital may not get
approved in time, ifat all.

To ensure that the state-run hospitals continue to provide quality health
services, this bill seeks to authorize the Department of Health to increase the bed
capacity of their hospitals.

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


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6469

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SET AND APPROVE THE BED
CAPACITY OF ITS RETAINED HOSPITALS

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 “DOH Hospital Bed
Capacity Rationalization Act.”

SECTION 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. This Act shall streamline the process
for approving changes in the authorized bed capacity of all DOH retained hospitals.

SECTION 3. Authority to Approve. Authority is hereby granted to the DOH to
adjust and approve the authorized bed capacity of its retained hospitals. Thereafter,
the DOH shall, by administrative or department order, increase, decrease, or maintain
the bed capacity of its retained hospitals, subject to specific guidelines that it shall
issue and promulgate, within six months, after the enactment of this law.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. Amounts necessary to implement and carry out
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the Department of
Health.

SECTION 5. Annual Report to Congress - The Department of Health shall
provide Congress, through the House and Senate Committees on Health, an annual
report on hospitals with approved bed capacity changes, along with the necessary
funding requirements.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) - The Secretary of
Health shall come up with the IRR, within three (3) months after the law's effectivity.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,