Title: Lipa City District Hospital Upgrade Act

Law: Republic Act No. 11864

Date: Jun 29, 2022

A Philippine law upgrades Lipa City District Hospital to a Level II Hospital, increasing its bed capacity
to 200 and requiring the matching upgrade of healthcare services and personnel, with funding support
from the Provincial Government of Batangas and inclusion in the Department of Health's subsidy
program.

Purpose of Republic Act No. 11864

● The purpose of Republic Act No. 11864 is to upgrade the Lipa City District Hospital in the City
of Lipa, Province of Batangas, Philippines, into a Level II Hospital.
● The law aims to increase the hospital's bed capacity from 75 to 200 beds and requires the
matching upgrade of healthcare services and personnel.

Upgrading of Lipa City District Hospital to Level II Hospital

● Under Section 1 of the law, the Lipa City District Hospital is officially upgraded to a Level II
Hospital.
● This upgrade signifies an improvement in the hospital's capabilities and services.

Increase in Bed Capacity

● Section 2 of the law states that the bed capacity of the Lipa City District Hospital will be
increased from 75 to 200 beds.
● Any future increase in bed capacity must align with the hospital's development plan, which will
be prepared by the Chief of Hospital of the Lipa City District Hospital.

Upgrading of Healthcare Services and Facilities

● To ensure that the healthcare services and facilities are in line with the increased bed capacity,
Section 3 of the law mandates the upgrading of the existing professional healthcare services
and facilities.
● This upgrade aims to ensure that the hospital can effectively cater to the needs of the
increased number of patients.
Increase in Workforce

● Section 4 of the law requires an increase in the existing workforce of the Lipa City District
Hospital.
● This includes doctors, nurses, other healthcare practitioners, and support personnel.
● The increase in personnel is necessary to adequately support the increased bed capacity and
provide quality healthcare services to the patients.

Provision of Necessary Funds

● To support the upgrade in bed capacity and the corresponding upgrading of facilities and
services, Section 5 of the law mandates the Provincial Government of Batangas to provide the
necessary funds.
● The provincial government is responsible for ensuring that the hospital has the financial
resources needed to implement the upgrades.

Support from the Department of Health

● Section 6 of the law requires the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) to include the
support for the capital outlay requirements of the Lipa City District Hospital in the DOH's
subsidy program.
● This ensures that the hospital receives financial assistance from the national government to
meet its capital needs.

Other Provisions

● The law also includes provisions regarding its constitutionality (Section 7), the repeal or
modification of inconsistent laws (Section 8), and the effective date of the law (Section 9).

Overall Impact of Republic Act No. 11864

● Republic Act No. 11864 aims to improve healthcare services in the Lipa City District Hospital
by upgrading it to a Level II Hospital with an increased bed capacity of 200.
● The law ensures that the necessary funds and support are provided by the Provincial
Government of Batangas and the Department of Health to implement the upgrades effectively.

Retrieved from: Law Summary: Republic Act No. 11864 - Lipa City District Hospital Upgrade Act
(jurisprudence.ph)
118 OG NO. 28, 7861 (July 11, 2022)

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11864, June 29, 2022 ]

AN ACT UPGRADING THE LIPA CITY DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF LIPA,
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS INTO A LEVEL II HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The Lipa City District Hospital in the City of Lipa, Province of Batangas is hereby
upgraded into a Level II Hospital.

SEC. 2. The bed capacity of Lipa City District Hospital shall be increased from seventy-five (75) to two
hundred (200) beds. Any future increase in bed capacity shall be consistent with the hospital
development plan, which shall be prepared by the Chief of Hospital of the Lipa City District Hospital.

SEC. 3. The existing professional health care services and facilities are also hereby upgraded to
conform with and be commensurate to the bed capacity increase as provided in Section 2 hereof.

SEC. 4. The existing workforce of the Lipa City District Hospital, which includes doctors, nurses and
support personnel, shall also be increased correspondingly.

SEC. 5. The Provincial Government of Batangas shall provide the necessary funds to support the
increase in bed capacity of the Lipa City District Hospital and the corresponding upgrading of its
facilities and services.

SEC. 6. The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) shall include in the DOH’s subsidy program
its support for the capital outlay requirements of the hospital.

SEC. 7. 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.

SEC. 8. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(SGD.) VICENTE C. SOTTO III

President of the Senate (SGD.) LORD ALAN JAY Q. VELASCO
Speaker of the House of
Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of
Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on December 1, 2020 and May 31, 2022,
respectively.

(SGD.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA

Secretary of the Senate (SGD.) MARK LLANDRO L. MENDOZA
Secretary General House of
Representatives

Approved: JUN 29 2022

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

President of the Philippines

Retrieved from: REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11864 - AN ACT UPGRADING THE LIPA CITY DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN
THE CITY OF LIPA, PROVINCE OF BATANGAS INTO A LEVEL II HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR - Supreme Court E-Library (judiciary.gov.ph)
Africa outlines plans to decongest traffic, improve healthcare in Lipa City
by LAVOXA online, September 3, 2023

Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa presented the local government’s current and proposed projects and
initiatives in a press conference attended by several student publications at the Lipa City Hall, Aug.
29. The discussion outlined the preliminary plans that would address community issues, with
emphasis on the city’s traffic, healthcare, and tourism.

Launching Lipa’s new medical systems for public healthcare, Africa mentioned that there will be
additional super health centers in Mataas na Lupa, Antipolo Del Norte, and Marawoy that will be fully
equipped with medical resources, machines, and personnel. “Four hospital facilities will also be
introduced, as Africa explained that each hospital system will specialize in certain health conditions, all
of which are planned to open this year.

He further clarified that the local government will be responsible for financially supporting all aspects
of the hospitals’ general operation, including labor costs and equipment investments. “Lipa City
Hospital System 1, geriatrics, medical, and surgery hospital. System 2, pediatrics and ob-gyn, ito yung
hospital na mina-manage ng provincial government ng Batangas […]. Lipa City Hospital System 3,
renal, dialysis, and other specialty centers. At ang Lipa City Hospital System 4, diagnostics,
laboratory, and industrial hospital,” said Africa.
Aside from these medical institutions, he also presented the Lipa family health card, which the general
public can use in case of medical emergencies or financial difficulties as it guarantees the necessary
care and assistance that they need from the facility and the local government.

Retrieved from: Africa outlines plans to decongest traffic, improve healthcare in Lipa City – Lavoxa Online

_________________________________________________________________________________

Handover of Lipa hospital to city gov't opens fresh funding sources

By Pot Chavez
November 16, 2023, 8:06 pm

LIPA CITY – The management turnover of the Lipa City District Hospital, now called the Lipa City

Hospital System 2, from the provincial to the city government here is seen to make the facility more

responsive to the needs of patients while opening the doors to additional sources of funding.

In an interview on Thursday, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, also the presiding officer of the

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial council), said that the move was carefully studied by both the

executive and legislative branches of the provincial government.

“This is a milestone because this is the first in the country where the provincial government has

abandoned a health facility located in a certain locality,” he noted.

Leviste said that Governor Hermilando Mandanas made “a good call” by spearheading the

management transfer because the Lipa city government is in a better position to oversee the

day-to-day operations of the hospital, whose primary customers are city residents.

The vice governor added the hospital now has access to fresh funding to sustain its operations

through the Mandanas-Garcia ruling by the Supreme Court.

He pointed out that the landmark SC ruling adds teeth to the policy of devolving the national

government authorities to the local government units (LGUs) by increasing their share of tax
revenues. Leviste recognized 6th District Board Member Aries Mendoza for authoring the legislation

that caused the hospital’s turnover to Lipa city authorities.

Last Oct. 28, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) of Lipa passed a special resolution renaming

the Lipa City District Hospital to Lipa City Hospital System 2 as part of accepting management control

over the facility.

In June 2022, Republic Act 11864 upgraded the same hospital into a Level II from a Level I

government hospital. The law called for increasing the hospital’s bed capacity from 75 beds to 200

beds, and mandated that the provincial government and the Department of Health (DOH) make

available the funds needed to expand its operations. Meanwhile, Mandanas said that the turnover of

the hospital to the city government is part of the provincial government’s commitment to improve the

delivery of services to Batangueños. (PNA)

MANAGEMENT TURNOVER. This undated photo shows the Lipa City District Hospital before it was renamed.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) renamed the health facility to Lipa City Hospital System 2 on Oct.

28, 2023, following the handover from provincial management to city management. (Photo courtesy of Batangas

Provincial Health Office)

Retrieved from: Handover of Lipa hospital to city gov't opens fresh funding sources | Philippine News Agency

(pna.gov.ph)
Press Release: November 18, 2023

Super Health Center breaks ground in Lipa City, Batangas as Bong Go continues
efforts to bring public health services closer to Filipinos

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography,
personally witnessed the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Lipa City, Batangas on
Thursday, November 16.

In his speech, Go emphasized the importance of bringing primary healthcare closer to the people. The
senator, adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots being a Tesoro from Batangas, also praised
the local government of Lipa City, including Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto, Mayor Eric Africa, and Vice
Mayor Camille Lopez, for their efforts to boost their community's health sector.

The Super Health Centers, championed by Go, aim to bolster grassroots healthcare infrastructure,
especially in rural areas, by providing essential services such as primary healthcare, medical
consultations, and early disease detection.

The senator expressed his confidence that these centers will help alleviate the strain on hospitals and
improve overall healthcare accessibility.

"Ano po ang Super Health Center? It's a medium type of a polyclinic. Pwede na po diyan yung
panganganak, dental, laboratory, x-ray at pwede po itong pagandahin ng LGU. Pwede n'yo po
dagdagan ng dialysis machine. Sa Mariveles (Bataan) nilagyan nila ng dialysis machine. (Pwede rin)
mag-decide si mayor palakihin (itong Super Health Center)," Go said.

Image source: Super Health Center breaks ground in Lipa City, Batangas (smninewschannel.com)
"Dito na po gagawin yung Konsulta package ng PhilHealth, early disease detection. Makakatulong po
ito sa ating mga kababayan. Mailalapit na po yung serbisyo medikal sa mga nangangailangan," he
added.

Super Health Centers offer health services including database management, out-patient, birthing,
isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other
available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy
and rehabilitation centers and telemedicine.

Through Go's efforts as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and with the support of
the Department of Health (DOH), LGUs and his fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds were allocated
under the 2022 national budget for the construction of some 307 Super Health Centers. He was
likewise successful in pushing for additional funds under the 2023 budget to support the construction
of 322 Super Health Centers in other parts of the country.

In Lipa City, three Super Health Centers were funded. Meanwhile, Go also supported other Super
Health Centers in Batangas particularly in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Calatagan, San Jose, Malvar,
Taysan, Ibaan, San Juan, Tingloy, and Lian.

Moreover, Go remains committed to bolstering the health sector as he encouraged the public to utilize
the Malasakit Centers located at Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City, and at Batangas
Provincial Hospital in Lemery.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of
2019 mandates the establishment of such centers in every DOH-run hospital nationwide and in the
Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

Other public hospitals can also establish their own Malasakit Centers provided they meet the standard
set of criteria and guarantee the sustainability of the center's operations.

The program has established 159 centers and has assisted over ten million Filipinos so far, according
to DOH.

Go then highlighted RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, for which he served as a
principal sponsor and one of the authors in the Senate. The Regional Specialty Centers Act assumes
an important role in the healthcare legislative priorities of the Marcos Administration, as outlined in the
Philippine Development Plan for the years 2023 to 2028. This law shall create Regional Specialty
Centers within pre-existing regional hospitals under the jurisdiction of DOH.
In Batangas Medical Center, there are three specialty centers, including Mental Health, Neonatal
Care, and Geriatric Care. There will be other specialty centers set to be established inside the
hospital, such as cancer care, cardiovascular care, renal care and transplant center, lung care, brain
and spine care, orthopedic center, physical rehabilitation medicine, burn care, trauma care, toxicology,
infectious disease and tropical medicine, and eye care.

"Batas na po ito ngayon na maglalagay po nga mga specialty center sa mga DOH hospitals. Proud po
akong ibalita sa inyo na nakakuha po ako dito ng boto na 24-0 sa Senado. Even the opposition voted
for it dahil alam nilang makakatulong sa mga kababayan natin," Go shared.

Meanwhile, Go also supported the rehabilitation of several multipurpose buildings, the acquisition of
multipurpose vehicles, among other initiatives to boost development and public services in the
province.

Last November 9, Go personally attended the blessing and inauguration of a multipurpose building in
San Juan town, also in Batangas.

Retrieved from: Press Release - Super Health Center breaks ground in Lipa City, Batangas as Bong Go
continues efforts to bring public health services closer to Filipinos (senate.gov.ph)

__________________________________________________________________________

Lipa City District Hospital is now under Lipa government

Monday, November 20, 2023

By Thiago Santos

LIPA CITY, Batangas - Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa

officially signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the transfer of the management and

operation of the Lipa City District Hospital from the Provincial Government of Batangas to the City

Government of Lipa today, November 10, 2023, at the Lipa City District Hospital.

According to the governor, this agreement is the first in history, not only in the province of Batangas

but in the entire Philippines. The transfer of management and operation of the Lipa City District

Hospital is expected to improve healthcare services and accessibility for the residents of Lipa City.

Mandanas also expressed his optimism that this partnership will set a precedent for other local

government units to collaborate in enhancing healthcare delivery across the country.

 Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa (Photo from Lipa City PIO)

Under the Principle of Subsidiarity, the devolution of basic services and the local autonomy of local

government units, such as the Provincial Government of Batangas, is emphasized.

This includes devolving responsibilities for the provision of basic services and facilities, including the

health services of the Lipa City District Hospital (LCDH), which will begin to be managed by the City

Government of Lipa by the first day of the year 2024.

The agreement to transfer the management and operation of LCDH from the provincial government is

in response to the support of the Batangas Governor in the devolution of health services, as well as

the initiative and letter of the City Mayor of Lipa to lead and accept the responsibility of handling and

management in such a hospital.

Mayor Africa was very grateful to Governor Mandanas and the entire leadership of the Capitol for the

great and extraordinary opportunity to better serve the countrymen, especially more in the matter of

health, along with the trust and support they have given to the mayor and the entire city government,

which he said is part of his comprehensive health program for the City of Lipa.
He said that he is committed to ensuring that the hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art

facilities and staffed with highly skilled medical professionals. He also emphasized the importance of

collaboration with neighboring cities and municipalities to address the healthcare needs of the entire

region.

Among those who attended the signing were 6th District Board Member (BM) Lydio Lopez, 6th District

BM Aries Emmanuel Mendoza, 3rd District BM Fred Corona, 4th District BM Jess De Veyra, 2nd

District BM Arlene Magboo, PCL President BM Melvin Vidal, Lipa City Vice Mayor Camille Lopez,

Provincial Administrator Wilfredo Racelis, Chief of Staff Mrs. Maria Isabel Bejasa, Provincial Health

Officer Dr. Rosvilinda Ozaeta, councilors of the City of Lipa, and members of the Provincial Local

Health Board. Several officials and staff of the provincial government, the city government, and Lipa

City District Hospital also witnessed the gathering.

Retrieved from: Lipa City District Hospital is now under Lipa government - Sentinel Times