MAY 28, 2016

NR # 4214B

House approves bill integrating hospice and palliative care

into the countrys health care system
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that
seeks to integrate hospice and palliative care into the Philippine health care system.
House Bill 6422 seeks to improve the quality of life of terminally ill patients and
minimize the financial burden of their families, the authors stressed.
Likewise the measure aims to prevent the draining of resources of public hospitals
and local government units in providing medical and financial support to terminally ill
indigent patients.
The bill mandates all government and private hospitals to provide palliative and
hospice care to all patients with life threatening illness.
Hospitals are required to link with an effective referral and aftercare network that is
organized and made functional by all provincial, city, and municipal governments under
the guidance and monitoring of the Department of Health (DOH).
Under the bill, rural health units, health care centers and health offices are required
to develop home-based or near home palliative care program in coordination with
government-owned and privately-owned hospices in the local government units (LGUs).
The measure requires hospitals, private hospice institutions, medical practitioners,
health and social workers for hospice and palliative care to be accredited by the DOH in
partnership with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Council of the Philippines
(NHPCCP) to ensure standard quality services.
On the other hand, health care professionals and volunteers from national to local
levels are tasked to undergo multi-disciplinary education and training on palliative and
hospice care support services to be conducted by the DOH in partnership with accredited
palliative and hospice care institutions.
To ensure quality hospice and palliative care services, the bill provides that
accredited hospitals and hospices should have adequate number of multi-specialty
personnel; assured financing for health and custodial services; clear and practical
standards for facilities and services; appropriately designed and equipped facilities; and
regular and systematic supervision and reporting to the DOH.
As for the provision on funding support, the measure states that all non-profit, DOH
accredited hospice and palliative care institutions, which are serving indigent patients,

shall qualify as institutional beneficiaries under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
(PCSO) Institutional Financial Program.
Meanwhile, all grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to
the DOH to be used, directly, and exclusively for hospice and palliative care programs
shall be exempt from donors tax and the same shall be allowed as deduction from the
gross income of the donor.
Allocation of funds for training, education, and promotion of the health program on
palliative and hospice care is also provided under the bill.
Among the authors of the bill are Reps. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica (4th District,
Bulacan), Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur), Gloria MacapagalArroyo (2nd District, Pampanga) Mark A. Villar (Lone District, Las Pias City),
Christopher S. Co (Party-list, Ako Bicol), Rodel M. Batocabe (Party-list, Ako Bicol), Rene
L. Relampagos (1st District, Bohol), Romero Federico Miro Quimbo (2nd District,
Marikina City), Raul V. Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), Sharon S. Garin (Party-list,
AAMBIS-OWA), Estrellita Ging Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) and Victoria G.
Noel (Party-list, An Waray).
Also included as authors are Reps. Gustavo S. Tambunting (2nd District, Paraaque
City), Harlin C. Abayon (1st District, Northern Samar), Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. (Partylist, A Teacher), Anthony M. Bravo (Party-list, COOP, NATCCO), Evelina G. Escudero
(1st District, Sorsogon), Agapito H. Guanlao (Party-list, Butil), Regina Ongsiako Reyes
(Lone District, Marinduque), Antonio L. Tinio (Party-list, ACT Teachers) and Scott
Davies S. Lanete.(3rd District, Masbate). (30) mvip