The Senate has unanimously approved a measure authored by Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros that seeks to overhaul how government hospitals expand their capacity, addressing the persistent problem of patients being treated in hallways and health workers enduring exhausting double shifts.
Senators voted 20-0 in favor of Senate Bill No. 1508, also known as the proposed DOH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act.
“Malapit nang gawing realidad na wala nang pasyente ang kailangang maghintay at gamutin sa hallway ng mga ospital at wala nang mga doktor at nars ang kailangang mag-doble ng duty para maalagaan ang mga kababayan nating may sakit,” Hontiveros said after the bill’s approval.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, pointed out a systemic flaw in the Department of Health (DOH).
At present, the agency cannot simply add hospital beds or upgrade services without Congress passing a separate law—a process that can take years and fails to meet urgent medical needs.
“The legislative process takes time, from 21 months to three years, at hindi ito nakakahabol sa pangangailangan ng mga DOH hospitals, na lampas sa kalahati nila sa ngayon ay nag-o-operate beyond 100% capacity, and on the average nasa 136%, malayo sa tinakdang standard na 80 to 85% occupancy rate,” she explained.
Under the proposed measure, the DOH would be empowered to adjust hospital bed capacity and expand services based on population growth, disease trends, and health planning—without waiting years for congressional approval.
Hontiveros emphasized that the bill aims to improve patient care while easing the burden on medical frontliners.
“Mahirap makapagbigay ng dekalidad na serbisyo kung kulang ang kama at pagod na pagod ang mga doktor at nurse sa gamutan sa dami ng pasyente,” she said.
“This bill helps ensure that healthcare is both accessible and of good quality,” she added.