Converting the Western Visayas Sanitarium in the Municipality of Santa Barbara, Province of Iloilo into Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital

April 29, 2022

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11723

AN ACT CONVERTING THE WESTERN VISAYAS SANITARIUM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA BARBARA, PROVINCE OF ILOILO, INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE WESTERN VISAYAS SANITARIUM AND GENERAL HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. The Western Visayas Sanitarium in the Municipality of Santa Barbara, Province of Iloilo, is hereby expanded into a sanitarium and general hospital with specialty services in infectious diseases, to be known as the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital (WVSGH), which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

SECTION 2. The authorized bed capacity of the WVSGH shall be increased from one hundred fifty (150) to three hundred (300) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall be consistent with the hospital development plan that shall be prepared by the Chief of Hospital of the WVSGH and submitted to the DOH.

SECTION 3. The existing professional health care services and facilities of the WVSGH shall also be upgraded to conform with and be commensurate to the increase in bed capacity as provided for in Section 2 hereof.

SECTION 4. The existing workforce of the WVSGH, which includes doctors, nurses, and support personnel, shall be increased correspondingly.

SECTION 5. The Secretary of the DOH shall, after consultation with the Chief of Hospital of the WVSGH, and in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, determine the additional new positions to be created and filled up.

SECTION 6. The position, seniority, security, and other rights of tenure of medical and non-medical personnel of the Western Visayas Sanitarium shall continue to be honored under the WVSGH.

SECTION 7. The Secretary of the DOH 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.

SECTION 8. If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved: April 29, 2022.