Culion Sanitarium Conversion and Upgrading Act of 2009

November 19, 2009

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9790

AN ACT CONVERTING THE CULION SANITARIUM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CULION, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN INTO THE CULION SANITARIUM AND GENERAL HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Culion Sanitarium Conversion and Upgrading Act of 2009". ICTHDE

SECTION 2. Culion Conversion. — The Culion Sanitarium in the Municipality of Culion, Province of Palawan, created under Executive Order No. 35, series of 1904, is hereby converted to a sanitarium and general hospital to be known as the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital.

SECTION 3. Conversion Plan. — The conversion scheme, including the proposed timetable for the same, shall be carried out under a conversion plan to be drawn up by the Central Office of the Department of Health: Provided, That said plan shall be constituted and coordinated by the Department with the Center for Health Development IV-B Regional Director, Chief of Culion Sanitarium, medical and non-medical personnel through their legal or duly designated representatives, and other stakeholders.

SECTION 4. Transfer of All Assets and Liabilities. — All assets, movable and immovable, and records of the Sanitarium, as well as its liabilities and obligations, are hereby transferred to the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital.

SECTION 5. Security of Tenure. — The positions, seniority, security and other rights of tenure of medical and non-medical personnel of the Culion Sanitarium shall continue to be honored under the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital.

SECTION 6. Continued Service and Assistance to Leprosy Patients. — The interest and well-being of all indigent patients being treated under the Leprosy Control Program shall continue to be acknowledged and served by the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital. All efforts toward this end shall include, but shall not be limited to, possible livelihood assistance to indigent patients under the Leprosy Control Program using the assets of the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's programs the operationalization of the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, the initial funding of which shall be charged against its current year's appropriations. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued operation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. Supplementary Funding. — The Center for Health Development IV-B Regional Director and Chief of Hospital, in coordination with concerned local government units, shall also draw up a mechanism for sourcing supplementary funds to augment the operations of the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital. STcHEI

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — In case any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the portion or part thereof not affected thereby shall remain valid and operative.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations, other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Approved: November 19, 2009