Increasing the Bed Capacity and Medical Workforce of Bicol Medical Center

July 1, 2020

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11478

AN ACT INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE BICOL MEDICAL CENTER FROM FIVE HUNDRED (500) BEDS TO ONE THOUSAND (1,000) BEDS, UPGRADING ITS SERVICE FACILITIES AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF ITS MEDICAL WORKFORCE COMPLEMENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8053, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Increase in Bed Capacity. — The authorized bed capacity of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) is hereby increased from five hundred (500) to one thousand (1,000) beds. The Secretary of Health shall implement the increase in bed capacity of the BMC consistent with the development plan of the hospital.

SECTION 2. Upgrade of Service Facilities. — The existing hospital facilities and professional health care services of the BMC are also hereby upgraded and increased to conform with and be commensurate to the bed capacity increase as provided for in Section 1 hereof.

SECTION 3. Increase in Personnel. — Upon consultation with the management of the BMC, the Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Budget and Management and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, determine the additional plantilla positions to be created and filled up in the workforce of the BMC.

SECTION 4. Hospital Development Plan. — The Chief of the BMC shall develop a hospital development plan to be submitted to the Department of Health (DOH) to reflect the development goals of the hospital, consistent with the increase in bed capacity and service capability as provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof. Request for the staffing requirements, capital outlay investments and budgetary needs for operations shall be based on the hospital development plan.

SECTION 5. Appropriation. — The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — 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 7. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 8053, otherwise known as "An Act Converting the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital into Bicol Medical Center, Defining its Functions, Responsibilities, Powers and Authority, and Appropriating Funds Therefor," is hereby amended accordingly. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: July 1, 2020.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 116, No. 29, p. 4739 on July 20, 2020.