Dinagat Islands General Hospital

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE - Office of the Sometap REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session MAR -2 P5:25 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1920 Senate Bill No. - Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT ESTABLISHING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BASILISA, PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS, A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE DINAGAT ISLANDS GENERAL HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Located in the Caraga region of northeastern Mindanao, the Province of Dinagat Islands consists of seven municipalities, comprising the main Dinagat Island and 25 other outlying islands. With a total land area of approximately 817.47 square kilometers, the province is home to around 121,000 Dinagatnons, based on the 2024 Population Census of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This population is currently being served by three (3) district hospitals. However, all three are accredited only as infirmaries due to limited personnel and equipment. As a result, aside from enduring long hours of travel to reach these facilities, the province's constituents must also bear shortages in healthcare professionals and inadequate hospital facilities. In the PSA's Women & Men in Caraga 2024 Statistical Handbook, Dinagat Islands is reported to have the highest maternal mortality rate and the lowest proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel in the region. The province's stark reality is further reinforced by the findings of the Pacific Disaster Center in its 2021 National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment, which ranked the province fourth out of the 84 provinces assessed in terms of vulnerable health status. According to the assessment, the province has 951 persons with disability per 100,000 population-the highest in the country-and a maternal mortality rate of 201.21 per 100,000 live births. The province also ranked 72d out of the 84 provinces in terms of health care capacity. The assessment further found that "major investments and improvements are needed in Dinagat Islands to meet the current health care needs of the population." This measure seeks to address the health care needs of the people of the Dinagat Islands by establishing a 100-bed capacity Level 1 general hospital in the province under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health. The hospital shall provide access to clinical services, such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery; emergency services; outpatient services; and ancillary and support services such as clinical

laboratory, imaging facility, and pharmacy, as mandated by DOH Administrative Order No. 2012-0012. This measure will provide essential basic health care services to the people of Dinagat Islands, in line with Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JUAN MIGUEL MICT F. ZUBIAL

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the frietary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session MAR -2 P5:25 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1920 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT ESTABLISHING IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BASILISA, PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS, A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE DINAGAT ISLANDS GENERAL HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. There shall be established in the Municipality of Basilisa, Province

of Dinagat Islands, a general hospital to be known as the Dinagat Islands General Hospital, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

SEC. 2. Any future increase in bed capacity, healthcare facilities, service

capability, and human resource complement shall be based on the hospital development plan that shall be prepared by the DOH.

SEC. 3. 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. 4. If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder or

any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 5. All other laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances,

or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in

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