TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 17 P2:15 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No.. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO SET AND APPROVE THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS EXPLANATORY NOTE With the devolution of health services, only 84 public hospitals nationwide remain under the control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH). These DOH-retained hospitals complement devolved district and provincial hospitals, as well as private facilities, in providing affordable and accessible quality health care to millions of Filipinos-aligned with the goals of the Universal Health Care Act. However, these hospitals often operate at or beyond their authorized bed capacities. They face persistent challenges such as limited manpower and constrained resources, hindering their ability to deliver the level of care patients need and deserve. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an optimal hospital bed occupancy rate of 80% to 85%. Yet, according to a 2020 DOH report, the average bed occupancy rate in DOH hospitals reached 131%—far exceeding the recommended level. As a result, it is not uncommon to find patients spilling over into hallways or sharing beds-clear indicators of an overburdened and strained public health system. Currently, a DOH hospital can only increase its authorized bed capacity through legislation. This means that any necessary adjustments to improve service delivery must compete with hundreds of other bills in Congress. All too often, such measures are either not enacted or become outdated by the time they are passed, leaving hospitals unable to adapt effectively to growing and shifting demands. This bill seeks to address that systemic issue. It authorizes the Department of Health to administratively determine and approve the authorized bed capacity of its retained hospitals. The Department will also be empowered to establish and implement guidelines for evaluating and approving such adjustments. This reform will enable timely and data-driven decisions regarding hospital capacity-whether
increasing or right-sizing—to meet actual service demands. By allowing the DOH to make these changes without the need for legislative approval, we eliminate a critical bottleneck that impedes the efficient and effective delivery of essential health services. Ultimately, this measure ensures that DOH hospitals can dynamically respond to evolving healthcare needs through a clear, standardized process supported by strategic planning and adequate funding mechanisms. For these reasons, the swift passage of this measure is earnestly sought. Senator
witter of it JUL 17 P2:15 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RICE: O BY SENATE S.B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO SET AND APPROVE THE BED CAPACITY AND SERVICE CAPABILITY OF ALL DOH HOSPITALS 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 "DOH Hospital
Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act."
Sec. 2. Purpose, Scope, and Coverage. - This Act shall streamline the
process for approving changes in the authorized bed capacities and corresponding service capabilities of all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.
Sec. 3. Authority to Approve. - The DOH is hereby authorized to adjust
and approve the authorized bed capacities and corresponding service capabilities of hospitals under its supervision and control, taking into consideration the hospitals' 9 development plans, catchment population, burden of disease, availability of human resources, health care provider networks, and other standards to be determined by the DOH. The DOH shall, through an administrative issuance, determine the bed capacities and service capabilities of DOH hospitals, subject to specific guidelines to be issued and promulgated within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 4. Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHDP). - The
DOH shall continue to update, develop, and implement the Philippine Health Facility 17 Development Plan (PHFDP) to guide the modernization and development of all 18 government health facilities, and to facilitate access to capital outlay investments
1 through the DOH Health Facilities Enhancement Program and other national 2 government capital outlay investment mechanisms. 3 The Secretary of Health shall include in the DOH's programs the funding requirements for the adjustment in bed capacity and service capability of each DOH hospital in accordance with the PHFDP and the respective hospital's modernization and development plan. Such funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 5. Conversion, Upgrading, and Modernization of DOH Hospitals.
9 - The DOH shall upgrade and modernize the existing equipment and facilities of DOH hospitals to ensure responsiveness to the health needs of the population, consistent with their authorized bed capacities and service capabilities.
Sec. 6. Annual Report to Congress. - The DOH shall submit to Congress,
through the Committee on Health of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health and Demography of the Senate, an annual report detailing the hospitals with approved bed capacities and the corresponding funding requirements.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — The DOH shall
formulate the IRR of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,