TEN PERCENT CHARITY BEDS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS

TEN PERCENT CHARITY BEDS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr. President of the Republic of the Philippines Malacañang Palace Manila Subject: Inquiry on the Status of Implementation of DOH Administrative Order No. 2007-0041 Your Excellency, I am writing to inquire about the status of the implementation of the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2007-0041, which mandates private hospitals in the Philippines to allocate at least 10% of their bed capacity as charity beds for indigent patients. This critical provision aims to ensure that Filipinos who cannot afford medical services still have access to necessary healthcare. Specifically, I seek clarification and updates on the following aspects: 1. Implementation Status o How is this administrative order currently being implemented across the country? o What mechanisms are in place to ensure private hospitals adhere to this mandate? 2. Compliance Rate o What percentage of private hospitals in the Philippines are compliant with the 10% charity bed allocation requirement? o Are there regions where compliance is particularly high or low? 3. Incentives for Compliance o Are private hospitals that comply with this mandate provided with tax exemptions, tax credits, or any other form of incentives to encourage adherence? o If such incentives exist, how accessible and effective are they in promoting compliance? 4. Outstanding Examples o Are there private hospitals that serve as outstanding examples of compliance with the order? o Could you provide some specific cases of hospitals excelling in this regard? 5. Awards or Rewards System o Is there a system in place to recognize and reward private hospitals that consistently comply with or exceed the requirements of this administrative order? 6. Monitoring and Enforcement o Which government body or agency is primarily responsible for monitoring compliance with this order? o How are non-compliant hospitals addressed, and are there penalties for failure to meet the mandated charity bed requirement? The healthcare needs of indigent Filipinos remain a pressing concern, and the implementation of this administrative order is a vital step toward equitable access to healthcare. Transparency and updates on its progress will not only assure the public of the government’s commitment but also encourage private hospitals to actively contribute to this cause. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and any insights that you or the relevant agencies may provide regarding this important healthcare policy. To give credit where credit is due, the said order was signed by former DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Since the order is for the benefit of poor Filipinos and it supports universal health care, I hope that with your support and guidance, incumbent DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa will revisit its implementation. I am also willing to help if databases and social media sites are needed for the purpose. Respectfully yours, Ramon Ike V. Seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com Cc: Secretary, Department of Health President, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 01-15-2025