Sta. Cruz Medical Center (Davao Del Sur)

Slate Office of the sueretary 25 DEC 10 P5:09 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1600 Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa AN ACT ESTABLISHING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF STA. CRUZ, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE STA. CRUZ MEDICAL CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Constitution, under Article II, Section 15, affirms that "The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." One of the clearest ways for the State to fulfill this duty is by ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all Filipinos. The provision is clear: there is to be no discrimination based on geography or economic status. In the province of Davao del Sur, access to healthcare remains a persistent challenge. As of 2019, the province has only one government hospital with Level 2 accreditation: the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City. The rest of the hospitals in the province are privately owned, with just two located in the municipality of Sta. Cruz. As someone who hails from Sta. Cruz, I have witnessed firsthand the painful consequences of inadequate access to healthcare. My own family lost a loved one, one of my siblings, in fact, and all because we could not afford medical care and, even worse, there was no nearby hospital to turn to in a moment of crisis. This is not just my story, but the story of many other families across the country who suffer needlessly due to gaps that exist between our places of residence and healthcare facilities, as well as gaps in our policies regarding our health infrastructure.

This proposed measure seeks to address that gap by establishing a government- run general hospital in Sta. Cruz, to be known as the Sta. Cruz Medical Center. The facility aims to bring affordable and reliable healthcare services closer to the people of Sta. Cruz and neighboring municipalities. Healthcare should not be a privilege limited to those who live near urban centers or who can afford private care. It is a basic right. This bill is a step toward ensuring that this same right is upheld, for the people of Sta. Cruz and for the entire country as a whole. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA

Senate Difice of the encertary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 DEC 10 P5:09 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1600 Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa AN ACT ESTABLISHING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF STA. CRUZ, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE STA. CRUZ MEDICAL CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. There shall be established in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Province

2 of Davao del Sur, a Level II - general hospital to be known as Sta. Cruz General Hospital, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

Sec. 2. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's

6 program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 7 annual General Appropriations Act. Any future increase in bed capacity, healthcare facilities, service capability, and human resource complement shall be based on the hospital development plan.

Sec. 3. Separability Clause. 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. 4. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and

regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

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