MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has filed Senate Bill 640, pushing to double the bed capacity and increase the workforce of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City.
Senate Bill 640 aims to increase the bed capacity of the BMC from 500 to 1,000 as well as to upgrade its service facilities and professional health care.
Established in 1933, the BMC is the premier medical center in the Bicol region. It has the bed capacity for 500 patients since 1998. However, it falls short for the center’s current daily average of 850 patients requiring hospital care.
“Twenty-one years nang hindi nadadagdagan ang bed capacity sa BMC. Kailangan na itong bigyan ng suporta para mas lalo pang mapagsilbihan ang ating mga kababayang Bicolano na nangangailangan ng mga serbisyo ng isang ospital. Kailangang maging comportable ang mga pasyente, at bigyan ng sapat ng suporta ang mga health professionals na nagtratrabaho rito,” Pangilinan said.
BMC provides tertiary health care services and world-class training and research. The BMC is also the home to the region’s first and only cancer center.
The Secretary of Health will be mandated to implement the increase in bed capacity consistent with the five-year development plan of the hospital. Additional plantilla positions may also be created to fill out the BMC workforce that will expand due to the increase in bed capacity.
If passed, SBN 640 will amend RA 8053 of 1995. Camarines Sur Third District Representative Gabby Bordado filed the counterpart bill in the Lower House where it was approved on third and final reading during the 17th Congress. The Senate, however, failed to pass the bill due to time constraints.