Laoag City Medical Center

genate Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAY -6 P2:37 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. - 2119 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT UPGRADING THE LAOAG CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL IN LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE INTO A LEVEL II GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS LAOAG CITY MEDICAL CENTER, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY, UPGRADING ITS PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES, AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF ITS MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." Consistent with this constitutional duty, the government must continue to strengthen public health institutions, particularly in areas where demand for medical care continues to increase. The Laoag City General Hospital has long served as an essential health care facility for the residents of Laoag City and neighboring municipalities in Ilocos Norte. However, with its current authorized bed capacity of only fifty (50) beds, the hospital faces limitations in accommodating the growing number of patients who depend on it for medical services. This affects the timely delivery of health care and places additional pressure on its facilities, medical personnel, and support staff. Thus, this bill seeks to upgrade the Laoag City General Hospital into a Level II General Hospital to be known as the Laoag City Medical Center. It further proposes to increase its authorized bed capacity from fifty (50) to one hundred (100) beds, upgrade its professional health care services and facilities, and authorize the corresponding increase in medical and support personnel.

The proposed measure will help ensure that the hospital's capacity, facilities, services, and staffing are aligned with the present and future health care needs of the people of Laoag City and nearby communities. It will also strengthen the delivery of public health services in Ilocos Norte by improving access to more responsive, efficient, and quality medical care. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Free h. Marca IMEE R. MARCOS

Senate Office of the Secretare TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAY -6 P2:37 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY. S.B. No. 2119 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT UPGRADING THE LAOAG CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL IN LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE INTO A LEVEL II GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS LAOAG CITY MEDICAL CENTER, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY, UPGRADING ITS PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES, AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF ITS MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. The Laoag City General Hospital in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, is hereby

upgraded into a Level II General Hospital to be known as the Laoag City Medical Center (LCMC), under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Health (DOH). The authorized bed capacity of the medical center is hereby increased from fifty (50) to one hundred (100) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall be consistent with the hospital development plan which shall be prepared by the Medical Center Chief of the LCMC and submitted to the DOH to reflect the development goals of the hospital.

Sec. 2. The existing professional health care services and facilities of the LCMC

are also hereby upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to the increase in bed capacity as provided for in Section 1 hereof, consistent with the hospital development plan.

Sec. 3. The existing workforce of the LCMC, including doctors, nurses, and

support personnel shall be correspondingly increased to conform with Section 1 of this Act, consistent with the hospital development plan.

The DOH, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and in consultation with the management of the LCMC, shall determine the additional plantilla positions to be created and filled up.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of THE DOH shall immediately include in the Department's

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

Sec. 5. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall

promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), upon consultation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and other stakeholders. The IRR shall be implemented consistent with the hospital development plan.

Sec. 6. If any provisions 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 other laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, 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 following its publication in the

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