JUL -3 P5:49 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REEL OTHERE PATE? First Regular Session i 3' PiO S.B. No. SENATE 13 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11959, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "REGIONAL SPECIALTY CENTERS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE One of the pressing concerns that hinder equitable access to healthcare in our country is the uneven distribution of specialty medical services. Many Filipinos residing in rural and far-flung areas face difficulties in obtaining specialized medical care due to the concentration of specialty facilities in Metro Manila. Further, in 2024, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the Philippines has a shortage of 190,000 healthcare workers. This includes not only nurses and midwives, but also physicians - the backbone of diagnosis, treatment, and medical leadership in every community. According to research by the Ateneo School of Medicine dated 23 April 2025, the Philippines' physician-to-population ratio stands at 7.92 per 10,000 people, falling short of the international minimum standard of 10 per 10,000. To help bridge this gap, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11959 or the "Regional Specialty Centers Act" was enacted last 24 August 2023 to mandate the establishment of specialty centers in DOH hospitals across regions. To efficiently augment this measure, this bill seeks to mandate the DOH to enter into partnerships or agreements with private hospitals to complement gaps in government services and leverage the strengths and resources of both public and private healthcare institutions in delivering specialized medical services. Additionally, the shortage of medical health workers poses a significant challenge to our healthcare system. Rural and remote areas often face acute shortages of healthcare professionals, resulting in inadequate access to medical care with specialized fields. Thus, this bill calls for a collaboration between the DOH, private
hospitals, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), private educational institutions, and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to address this issue. Incentives such as scholarships and loan repayment programs will be employed to encourage medical students to pursue internships and careers in underserved specialty centers. Given the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. IMEE R. MARCOS
25 JJL -3 25:49 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REAL OF THE REPENTE First Regular Session SENATE S.B. No. 113 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11959, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "REGIONAL SPECIALTY CENTERS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. A new Section 6 is hereby inserted after Section 5 of R.A. No.
11959 otherwise known as the "Regional Specialty Centers Act" to read as follows: "SEC. 6. PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVATE HOSPITALS. - (a) DOH REGIONAL HOSPITALS SHALL ENTER INTO PARTNERSHIPS OR AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE HOSPITAL/S WITHIN THEIR AREAS TO JOINTLY PROVIDE SPECIALTY MEDICAL SERVICES THAT MAY NOT BE FULLY AVAILABLE OR ACCESSIBLE IN SAID DOH REGIONAL HOSPITALS. (b) THESE PARTNERSHIPS OR AGREEMENTS SHALL PRIORITIZE SERVICE IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO CARDIOVASCULAR CARE, INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND TROPICAL MEDICINE, LUNG CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, NEONATAL CARE, ORTHOPEDIC CARE, GERIATRIC CARE, PALLIATIVE CARE, AND OTHER SPECIALIZED MEDICAL DISCIPLINES THAT MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE DOH. (c) THE DOH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE PRIVATE HOSPITALS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL
ESTABLISH GUIDELINES, PROTOCOLS, STANDARDS, AND MECHANISMS FOR THE SELECTION OF PARTNER PRIVATE HOSPITALS, INCLUDING THE TERMS OF COLLABORATION, SERVICE QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND EQUITABLE COST-SHARING ARRANGMENTS."
SEC. 2. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after Section 6 of R.A. No. 11959 to
read as follows: "SEC. 7. COLLABORATION WITH MEDICAL SCHOOLS. - THE DOH SHALL COLLABORATE WITH THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES (SUCS) THAT OFFER MEDICAL DEGREE PROGRAMS. THE CHED, CONCERNED PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND SUCS SHALL ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO INCENTIVIZE MEDICAL STUDENTS TO PURSUE INTERNSHIPS AND CAREERS IN THE CONCERNED DOH REGIONAL HOSPITALS, AS MENTIONED IN SEC. 6 OF THIS ACT, SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS, LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS, AND OTHER INCENTIVES."
SEC. 3. The succeeding sections of R.A. No. 11959 are hereby renumbered
accordingly.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or provision
of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,