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WHEREAS, the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people, and to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health;

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 673 (s. 1975) established the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), which is the sole specialty hospital in the Philippines that provides specialized medical services to Filipinos suffering from cardiovascular diseases. As an institution, it is committed to upholding the highest standards of cardiovascular care that is responsive to the health and needs of Filipinos;

WHEREAS, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, cardiovascular disorders were the leading cause of death in the country as of 31 October 2022;

WHEREAS, most Filipinos suffering from cardiovascular diseases would have to travel to the National Capital Region where the Philippine Heart Center is located;

WHEREAS, with world-class highways and an international airport, the Clark Freeport Zone is a gateway to Central Luzon. As such, establishing a specialty hospital annex in Clark Freeport Zone will bring quality healthcare closer to the people; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices, and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws;

NOW, THEREFOR, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

Section 1. Establishment of the Philippine Heart Center. Subject to limitations under existing laws, rules and regulations, the National Government shall establish the Philippine Heart Center Annex in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga (PHC Clark), which will primarily render specialized medical services for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Section 2. Implementing Agency. The PHC shall establish, manage, and administer PHC Clark, and amend its existing development to include the proposed programs and initiatives for the PHC Clark, consistent with the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 2020-2040, and in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant government agencies.

Section 3. Funding. The amount needed for the establishment and continued operations of the PHC Clark shall be charged against the available appropriations of the DOH and/or the annual corporate operating budget of the PHC, subject to the pertinent budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. Additional funding may likewise be sourced from agreements that the PHC may enter into with other government agencies for the purpose of establishing and operating the PHC Clark.

Thereafter, the PHC and the DOH shall coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management to ensure that the subsequent funding requirements, as may be necessary, will be included in their annual budget, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Section 4. Agency Support. The PHC may request any government department, agency, or instrumentality, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units, to render full assistance and cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of this Order.

Section 5. Separability. In the event that any provision of this Order or any part hereof is declared invalid, illegal, or unconstitutional, the provisions not thereby affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repeal. All orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 8^th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Three.