S. No. 577 H. No. 794 / 53 OG No. 21, 7584 (November 31, 1957
SEC. 3. In provinces where there are no government hospitals, or where the ratio of free beds in actual operation is below the ratio provided in Section one hereof, the funds raised thru the provisions in paragraphs (a) and (c) of Section two hereof shall be utilized for the construction of buildings and additional wards during the first year after this Act shall have taken effect if no funds have already been appropriated therefor.
- Every Municipal or City government belonging to the second and first class groups, shall contribute five (5%) per centum of its annual general income for the support of the general hospital or hospitals in the province, and the municipalities belonging to the third and fourth class groups shall contribute three (3%) per centum of its annual general income, but when a hospital is established in a particular municipality or city, the municipality or city concerned shall contribute at least seven (7%) per centum of its annual general income: Provided, That the City of Manila shall contribute only one (1%) per centum of its annual general income which shall be equally divided among government general hospitals under the Bureau of Hospitals in Manila for their operation and maintenance and/or for expansion purposes: Provided further, That municipalities which are situated beyond 35 kilometers from the nearest national or provincial hospital by ordinary land transportation or beyond 20 kilo meters by water transportation, shall only contribute four (4%) per centum of their annual general income, if the municipalities belong to the first and second class, and two (2%) per centum if the municipalities belong to the third and fourth class: And provided, finally, That municipalities of the fifth class shall not be required to pay the contribution provided in this Section.
- Cities or municipalities operating and maintaining or which shall operate and maintain public general hospitals are exempt from the provisions of this Section: Provided, That these hospitals conform with the requirements and standards set forth by the Department of Health: And Provided, further, That such hospitals shall provide one general hospital bed for every 5,000 population of the municipality or city concerned.
- Every province shall contribute five (5%) per centum of its annual general income for the support of the government general hospital or hospitals in the province: Provided, That in provinces where the ratio is more than one free bed for every 5,000 population, the additional expense corresponding to the excess of beds based on 1:5,000 ratio shall be shouldered solely by the province and towns and cities concerned.
- The National Government shall set aside out of the National Treasury an amount representing the difference between the total contributions from the municipalities, cities and every province on one hand and the total cost of operating and maintaining the free general hospital beds in the whole province computed at eight (P8.00) pesos to ten (P10.00) pesos per bed per day (depending on the comparative cost of commodities and maintenance in each province, municipality or city) on the other, based on the ratio of one bed for every 5,000 population.