Antipolo-rizal Tertiary Hospital Act of 2026

Office of the Berretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 26 FEB -5 P3:53 SENATE RECEIVED BY 1789 S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) - OPERATED TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF ANTIPOLO, PROVINCE OF RIZAL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE ANTIPOLO - RIZAL TERTIARY HOSPITAL (ARTH), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Access to quality healthcare remains one of the most pressing concerns in the country, especially in the Province of Antipolo. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal ratio is 20 it has been reported that the Philippines currently averages only 5 beds per 10,000 people far below the global standard. Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority's 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN), Antipolo City in the Province of Rizal has a population of 913,712. Despite being one of the most populous and rapidly growing cities in Region IV-A, its nearly one million residents rely solely on four Level 1 hospitals under the Rizal Provincial Hospital System (RPHS), all with limited bed capacity and without the full range of specialized services that a tertiary hospital provides. As a result, many Rizaleños are compelled to seek medical care in Metro Manila, incurring additional transportation costs, time, and hardship, especially for those in urgent or critical condition. While the Northern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Montalban serves as the province's main referral facility, its distance from Antipolo and eastern Rizal makes it largely inaccessible for many residents.

Therefore, this bill seeks to establish a Department of Health (DOH)-operated tertiary hospital in Antipolo City to address the long-standing gaps in healthcare access. The proposed Antipolo-Rizal Tertiary Hospital (ARTH) will serve as a central referral and treatment facility, equipped with advanced medical services, specialty care, and modern infrastructure. This measure will not only decongest Metro Manila hospitals but also ensure that the people of Antipolo and the rest of Rizal have equitable access to quality, affordable, and timely healthcare within their own province. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

Senate Office of the Surreary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FEB -5 P3:53 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE -78! S. No. - Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) - OPERATED TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF ANTIPOLO, PROVINCE OF RIZAL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE ANTIPOLO - RIZAL TERTIARY HOSPITAL (ARTH), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Antipolo-Rizal

Tertiary Hospital Act of 2026".

Sec. 2. Declaration of the Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote

and accessible, equitable, comprehensive healthcare services, especially in underserved and rapidly growing areas such as Antipolo City and the Province of Rizal. 6 The State shall establish, maintain, and operate a DOH-controlled tertiary hospital to serve the healthcare needs of residents in Antipolo and nearby communities.

Sec. 3. Establishment. - There is hereby established a tertiary hospital in the

9 City of Antipolo, Province of Rizal, to be operated by the Department of Health (DOH). The hospital shall serve as one of the apex hospitals for the Southern Luzon region. Any future increase in bed capacity or upgrading of services shall be guided by a hospital development plan prepared by the DOH.

Sec. 4. Location. - The hospital shall be located in the City of Antipolo,

Province of Rizal, or in any other site within the city as may be designated by the

1 Secretary of Health in coordination with the local government unit.

Sec. 5 Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall

3 be charged against the current appropriations of the Department of Health. The 4 Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the programs of the Department the 5 implementation of this Act, the funding shall be included in the General Appropriations 6 Law.

Sec. 6 Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared

8 invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 9 full force and effect.

Sec. 7 Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules

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

Sec. 8 Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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