MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros sponsored the DOH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act, a measure aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in government hospitals and streamlining regulatory processes for hospital expansions.

The bill, authored alongside Senators Pia Cayetano and Jinggoy Estrada, seeks to simplify the approval process for increasing authorized hospital bed capacities and service capabilities. It also mandates the Department of Health (DOH) to regularly update and implement the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP), a blueprint designed to modernize hospital facilities, optimize capital investments, and upgrade equipment.

Hontiveros highlighted the current strain on DOH hospitals, citing that as of June 2025, the government had only 60,395 hospital beds. The DOH reported a capacity gap of 114,251 beds, based on its target of 2.7 beds per 1,000 population, with projections showing the gap could rise to 188,943 beds by 2040 if left unaddressed. Government hospitals also operate at an occupancy rate of 136%, well above the recommended 80–85%, leading to longer waiting times, delayed treatments, and limited emergency response capacity.

The bill aims to fast-track hospital modernization, align resources with actual needs, and strengthen compliance with the Universal Health Care Act. Hontiveros said the PHFDP would serve as a “living guide,” allowing hospitals to respond efficiently to both routine healthcare needs and emergencies.

“This is not just about beds or equipment. It is about every Filipino—regardless of income—receiving timely, quality hospital care when it matters most,” Hontiveros said. She urged her colleagues to support the measure, calling it both a legislative priority and a moral imperative.