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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3759

Introduced By: REP. MAGNOLIA ROSA ANTONINO-NADRES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of
1991 explicitly devolves powers and responsibilities to local government units in
pursuance with the decentralization policy enshrined in the Constitution.

Many experts in local governance had shared the view that for the
decentralization policy to succeed, the devolution of powers to local government
units must be accompanied by financial support from the national government.

It is worthy to emphasize however, that more than two (2) decades after
the passage of this landmark legislation, many local government units have been
persistently clamoring for the reversion of the devolved functions and
responsibilities, specifically health care and social welfare services, to the
national government. It is therefore apparent that the forty percent (40%) share of
local government units from national internal revenue taxes is not sufficient
enough to shoulder the cost of devolved functions and responsibilities,
particularly those local government units, which belong to lower income
classifications.

The sorry state of health and social welfare services in many local
government units throughout the country had endangered the lives of countless
Filipinos particularly those in the far-flung areas.

It is worthy to emphasize that the promotion of health has always been an.
urgent business of society not only because it is the very foundation of an active
and useful life but also the right of every Filipino. However, the inability of
many local government units to give sufficient funding to devolved hospitals has
caused untoward sufferings to our poor patients.


This bill therefore seeks to revert to the national government the discharge
of health and social welfare services as many local government units cannot cope
with the rising cost of health care and social services to the detriment of the local
residents.

The re-nationalization of health and social services devolved to local
government units can be made possible by repealing certain subparagraphs
under Section 17, Sections 102 to 105, 478 and 483 of the Local Government Code
of 1991

The foregoing reasons merit the approval of this important piece of

legislation, - cS)

MAGNOLIA ROSA ANTONINO-NADRES
Representative
Fourth District, Nueva Ecija



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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3759

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced By: REP. MAGNOLIA ROSA ANTONINO-NADRES

AN ACT
REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT No. 7160, AS
AMENDED 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. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 17 (b) (1) of Republic Act No.
7160 as amended otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 is
hereby repealed.

SEC. 2. Subparagraphs (iii) and (iv) of Section 17 (b) (2) of the Local
Government Code of 1991 are hereby repealed.

SEC. 3. Subparagraph (viii) of Section 17 (b) (2) of the Local Government
Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“viii. Infrastructure facilities intended primarily to service the needs of
the residents of the municipality and which are funded out of municipal funds
including but not limited to, municipal roads and bridges; school buildings and
other facilities for public elementary and secondary schools; [clinics; health
centers and other facilities necessary to carry out health services;] communal
irrigation, small water impounding projects and other similar projects; fish ports;
artesian wells, spring development, rainwater collectors and water supply
systems; seawalls, dikes, drainage and sewerage, and flood control; traffic signals
and road signs; and similar facilities;”

SEC. 4. Subparagraphs (iv) and (v) of Section 17 (b) (3) of the Local
Government Code of 1991 are hereby repealed.


SEC. 5, Title Five of Book I, which includes Sections 102 to 105 of the Local
Government Code of 1991 is hereby repealed.

SEC. 6. Article Eight of Title Five, Book III, which includes Section 478 of
the Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby repealed.

SEC, 7, All references in the other provisions of the Local Government
Code of 1991 to “local health board” shall be changed to “local sanggunian”.

SEC. 8. The Secretary of the Department of Health, in coordination with
the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the
Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 9. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 10. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,