Soccsksargen Regional and Medical Center (South Cotabato)

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 SEP 30 P1:15 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1429 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT UPGRADING THE SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO, INTO A LEVEL III HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE SOCCSKSARGEN REGIONAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE As of July 2024, the province of South Cotabato surpassed the one-million-mark population with 1,010,009 residents. Meanwhile, Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) where the South Cotabato belongs places the total population at 4,901,486. ' Such a sizeable constituency would require a higher level of healthcare and medical facility that can accommodate patients without sacrificing the quality of treatment. As the population in the South Cotabato as well as the SOCCSKSARGEN region grows, it is necessary to keeping hospitals well-equipped, upgraded and prepared for the influx of patients. The SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital SGH which was established from then existing Upper Valley Community Hospital in the Municipality of Surallah, Province of Cotabato, has served as a vital healthcare facility in Region XI. ' https://psa.gov.ph/content/highlights-region-xii-soccsksargen-population-2020-census-population-and- housing-2020-cph

However, at present, the bed capacity of the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital (SGH) in Surallah, South Cotabato is only one hundred (100) beds. Clearly, the number no longer complement the needs of the increasing population of the in habitants of the area. Thus, this bill aims to convert the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital into the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional and Medical Center and increase its bed capacity to one thousand five hundred (1,500). Further, we recognize and propose the upgrading of its professional health care services and facilities. In addition, we find the necessity to create additional plantilla positions for medical and support staff that will be charged to the General Appropriations Act. The Philippine Development Plan stated that increasing infrastructure investments is needed to achieve an improved quality, and efficiency of health care. In line with this, the upgrading SGH to SOCCSKSARGEN Regional and Medical Center is towards this strategy and will serve as a long-term investment in the health and productivity of the region. In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this measure is sought. 00=. JV EJERCITO

Senate Ollie of the Gecterp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 SEP 30 P1:15 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1429 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT UPGRADING THE SOCCSKSARGEN GENERAL HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO, INTO A LEVEL III HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE SOCCSKSARGEN REGIONAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION. 1. The SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital SGH in the Municipality of

2 Surallah, Province of South Cotabato, is hereby upgraded into a Level III hospital to known as the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional and Medical Center (SRMC) which shall be 4 under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

SEC. 2. The authorized bed capacity of the SRMC shall be increased from (100)

to one thousand five hundred (1,500) beds to be implemented over a period of not more than three (3) years from the approval of this Act.

SEC. 3. The existing professional health care services and facilities of the SRMC

shall also be upgraded and expanded to conform with, and be commensurate to its upgrading as a Level III hospital and the increase in bed capacity as provided for in Sections 1 and 2 of this Act.

SEC. 4. The existing workforce of the SRMC shall be increased correspondingly.

The Secretary of Health shall, after consultation with the Medical Center Chief 3 of the SRMC, and in coordination with the Secretary of Budget and Management and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, determine the additional new positions to be created.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's

program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. =

SEC. 6. If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the

remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules and regulations, or parts

thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,