Bukidnon Farmers Research and Medical Center (Bfrmc)

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of thc Secretary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB -5 P5:13 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No.. 1792 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri ESTABLISHING A SPECIALTY RESEARCH HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON TO BE KNOWN AS THE BUKIDNON FARMERS RESEARCH AND MEDICAL CENTER (BFRMC), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE In 2024, the province of Bukidnon emerged as the number one agriculture and fisheries producer in the country. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the province contributed a total of Php 129.03 billion, accounting for 7.3 percent of the sector's total output of Php 1.78 trillion. As the Food Basket of Mindanao, Bukidnon remains to be one of the country's top producers of crops such as rice, corn, sugar, coffee, rubber, pineapple, tomato and cassava, and livestock like chicken, hogs and cattle. To further support the primarily agricultural-based economy of the province, this measure seeks to establish a specialty research hospital in the City of Valencia in Bukidnon to be known as the Bukidnon Farmers Research and Medical Center (BFRMC). Once established, the specialty research hospital shall serve the specific medical needs of farmers and other agricultural workers in the province, who are continuously exposed to the hazards of farming and other related activities. The measure also seeks to establish a Research Department for Tropical Medicine within the hospital, which shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. This department shall be in charge of conducting the necessary research to come up with strategies to prevent and treat farming-related and other tropical ailments.

With their great contributions to the country's agriculture, forestry and fishery sector, it is only fitting that we provide our farmers and other agricultural workers the support that they need to enable them to continue performing their indispensable role of producing food to fuel not only our economy, but the Filipino people as well. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JUAN MIGUEL "MIGZ" F. ZUBIE

Senate an Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB -5 P5:13 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1792 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SPECIALTY RESEARCH HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON TO BE KNOWN AS THE BUKIDNON FARMERS RESEARCH AND MEDICAL CENTER (BFRMC), 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 a specialty research hospital in the City of

Valencia, Province of Bukidnon, to be known as the Bukidnon Farmers Research and Medical Center (BFRMC).

SEC. 2. The hospital shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department

of Health (DOH) and shall be designated as a specialty and research facility and one of the apex hospitals in Northern Mindanao. Any future increase in bed capacity and upgrading of health care services and facilities shall be based on the hospital development plan which shall be prepared by the DOH.

SEC. 3. Medical Assistance. - The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall

ensure that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to include, among others, subsidies on hospitalization and medical procedures for farmers and qualified dependents.

SEC. 4. Research Department for Tropical Medicine. - There shall be established a

department for research medicine, which shall be under the direct supervision of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The department shall have the following functions: a) Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control, and prevention of tropical diseases that are major causes of mortality in the Philippines; b) Conduct clinical trials aimed at better understanding and control of tropical diseases; c) Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical personnel in the control of common tropical diseases in the country; d) Provide high quality tertiary care and treatment to both inpatients and out- patients suffering from tropical diseases included within the scope of RITM's research activities; e) Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of funds, equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment of its objectives;

Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the Secretary of Health.

SEC. 5. Review and Assessment. - The DOH and DA shall conduct mandatory review

and assessment every five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to ensure its proper implementation and assess the performance of the Hospital. A report shall be submitted to the Committee on Health and Demography and Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform in both houses of Congress within thirty (30) days from the termination of the period of review and assessment.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - 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. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

approval of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DA and other relevant stakeholders, shall formulate and issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to fully implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,

the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of

instruction, proclamations, or administrative orders, rules or regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

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