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AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSURE OF ALL HEALTH FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING

REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED FORTY TWO HUNDRED TWENTY SIX (R.A. No. 4226), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “HOSPITAL
LICENSURE ACT,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Section 1. This Act also be known as the Health Facilities and Services Licensure Act.

Sec. 2. Definitions. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

A. Bureau – shall refer to the Bureau of Health Facilities & Services under the Department of Health

B. Health Facilities – shall refer to institutions and other health related establishments which provide diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative,
and/or other health care services except medical radiation facilities and hospital pharmacies.

C. License – a formal authorization issued by the Department of Health to an individual, partnership, corporation or association to operate
a hospital and other health facilities. It is a prerequisite for accreditation of a hospital and other health facilities by any accrediting body that
is recognized by the Department of Health.

D. Licensee – is the person, partnership, association, corporation or private entity granted a license to operate and maintain a health facility
according to an approved standard set by the Bureau.

E. Secretary – shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health.

Sec. 3. Licensing Agency. – The Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (BHFS) shall act as the regulatory agency pertaining to the
regulation and licensing of health facilities and services in the country.

Sec. 4. Staff – The organizational structure of the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services shall have positions to carry out the purposes of
this Act.

Sec. 5. Powers and Duties of the Bureau. The Bureau of Health Facilities and Services shall have the following powers and duties:

A. To establish and prescribe rules, regulations, standards and specifications in all cases related to the issued certificate of license of health
facilities and other related facilities and administer and enforce the same.

B. To inspect and monitor all health facilitates and other related facilitates to ensure their continued compliance with rules and regulations in
accordance with this Act and to make recommendations to directors or administrators of such health facilities for the correction of
deficiencies found during such inspections;

C. To study and adopt a system of classifying health facilities and other related facilities in the Philippines;

D. To approve plans for health facilities, government or private, and to issue permits or authority to construct, renovate or expand health
facilities or related facilities, in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

E. To provide consultative and advisory services relative to the establishment and construction of health facilities or related facilities;

F. To determine, levy, assess and collect the appropriate permit fee, registration fee, license fee and surcharges pertinent to the operation of
such facilities and services except in cases where charges or rates established by international bodies or associations of which the
Philippines is a participating member or by bodies recognized by the Philippine government as the proper arbiter of such charges or rates;

G. To coordinate and call the assistance of any department, office, agency or instrumentality of the national or local government and other
entities concerned with any aspect involving health facilities for the effective implementation of this Act;

H. To maintain a register of health facilities and other related facilities of issued licenses to operate indicating the name of the facility,
address or location, classification, name of the director or administrator, ownership, number of authorized beds and such other pertinent
data as may be necessary;

L. To submit yearly reports to the Secretary of Health, and the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health of both Houses of Congress;

J. To promulgate and implement the rules and regulations governing the registration, licensure and operations of health facilities and related
facilities and to periodically review and amend the same, subject to the approval of the Secretary and in consultation with the sectors
concerned: Provided, That such rules and regulations shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and

K. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law.

Sec. 6. Quasi-Judicial Powers – To carry out its tasks more effectively, the Bureau shall be vested with the following quasi-judicial powers:

A. To grant a certificate of license for the operation and maintenance of health facilities and services, and to suspend or revoke the same in
accordance with the provisions of this Act;

B. To investigate, hear and decide administrative cases initiated by the Bureau or filed by any person against a hospital or health service
establishment violating any provision of this act and its implementing rules and regulations and to impose appropriate administrative
sanctions or penalty provided in this Act;

C. To promulgate rules governing the conduct of administrative hearing: Provided, that in such proceeding, the Bureau shall not be bound
by the technical rules of evidence of the rules of court: Provided, Further, That the latter may be applied in a suppletory manner;

D. To administer oaths and affirmations, and to issue subpoena and tesificandum and subpoena duces tecum requiring the attendance and
testimony or parties and witnesses, and/or the production of such books, contracts, correspondence, records, statement of accounts and
other documents as may be material to the investigation being conducted by the Bureau;

E. To exercise contempt powers and impose appropriate penalties;

F. To cause the prosecution of all cases involving violations of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations; and

G. To summarily order the closure of health facilities and other related facilities operating without a license.

Sec. 7. Construction Permit. All health facilities or related facilities, government or private, to be constructed or which shall undergo
renovation or expansion shall have their plans approved and construction permit issued by the Bureau as defined in this Act.

Sec. 8. Registration and License. All health facilities or related facilities, government or private, shall be registered and duly issued a license
by the Bureau before it is allowed to operate or be opened to the public.

Sec. 9. Application and Issuance of a Permit to Construct. – Application for a permit to construct a health facility or other related facility shall
be submitted to the Bureau in a form prescribed by the latter and accompanied by a plan of the facility proposed to be constructed. The
permit to construct issued by the Bureau shall be a condition precedent for the issuance of a building permit by the official of the municipality
or city where the facility is proposed to be constructed.

Sec. 10. Application for Registration and Issuance of License. – Application for registration of a health facility or other related facility and for
the issuance of a license for its operation and maintenance including medical ancillary services except the pharmacy and the medical
radiation facility shall be filed with the Bureau or its deputized office using the form prescribed by it: Provided, That the Bureau shall
coordinate with the Bureau of Food and Drugs for the licensing of hospital pharmacies, with the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology
(BHDT) for the licensing of medical radiation facilities using electrical/electronic devices, and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
(PNRI) for the licensing of medical radiation facilities using radioactive facilities using radioactive substances. Registration may be made and
license issued upon compliance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Bureau pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

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Sec. 11. Validity and Renewal of License. The initial license to operate and maintain a health facility or other related facility shall be valid for
a period of two (2) years from its date of issuance, and shall be renewed regularly, subject to the rules and regulations of the Bureau.

Sec. 12. Inspection. The license to operate and maintain a health facility or other related facility shall be issued by the Bureau only after a
representative of the licensing agency has conducted a comprehensive on-site inspection and certified that the applicant has satisfactorily
compiled with requisites prescribed in this Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Sec. 13. Suspension and Revocation of License. The Bureau, after conducting an administrative hearing, with due notice to the licensee and
with the approval of the Secretary of Health may suspend or revoke the license to operate and maintain a health facility or other related
facility of any person, partnership, association, corporation or private entity, for any of the following grounds: (a) violation by the licensee of
any provision of this Act or any other existing law; (b) violation of rules and regulations prescribed in the implementation of this Act; or (c)
failure to make necessary corrections or adjustments required by the Bureau in the improvement or maintenance of facilities and services.

Sec. 14 Hearing. – Any person, association, corporation, or any other private entity who has been refused a license to operate and maintain
a health facility or other related facility or whose license for such health facility or other related facility has been suspended or revoked shall
be entitled to an administrative hearing to be conducted by the Bureau to determine the validity of such denial, suspension or revocation of
the license: Provided, That the licensee may resort to the courts, as in other cases provided by law.

Sec. 15. Separate Licenses Required. Separate licenses shall be required for health facilities or other related facilities or branches thereof
maintained in separate premises even though they are operated under the same management: Provided, However, That separate licenses
shall not be required for separate buildings in the same compound: Provided, Further, That permits for construction or alteration of buildings
within the same compound shall also be secured from the Bureau to determine compliance with standards and requirements herein
authorized.

Sec. 16. Non-Transferrability of License. License for the operation of the health facility or other related facility shall not be transferable. The
Bureau shall be notified of any change in ownership, change of name of the health facility or other related facility, and transfer of location
and in the latter case, an application for a new license should be submitted

Sec. 17. Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of Health, upon recommendation of the Bureau shall issue rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 18. Penalties. Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who establishes, operates, conducts, manages or maintains a
health facility or other related facility within the meaning of this Act without first obtaining a license or violates any provision of this Act or its
Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be liable to a fine of not less than twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) but not to exceed fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for the first offense, and not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not to exceed one hundred pesos
(P100,000.00) for the second offense, and not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not to exceed two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for the third and each subsequent offense. Each day that the health facility or other related facility shall
operate after the first violation shall be considered a subsequent offense.

In addition to the penalties specified in the preceding paragraph, the Bureau upon the approval of the Secretary, may summarily order the
closure of any health facility or other related facility found operating without a license.

Sec. 19. Revenue Utilization. All payments made to the Bureau pursuant to Section 5(f) shall be utilized by the Bureau for its operation,
subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit.

Sec. 20. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalids, other provisions hereof which are
not affected hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 21. Repealing Clause. R.A. No. 4226 otherwise known as the Hospital Licensure Act is hereby repealed. All other laws, Presidential
Decrees, Executive Orders, Rules and Regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 22. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9439 April 27, 2007

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DETENTION OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CLINICS ON GROUNDS OF NONPAYMENT
OF HOSPITAL BILLS OR MEDICAL EXPENSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic in the country to detain or to otherwise cause, directly or indirectly, the
detention of patients who have fully or partially recovered or have been adequately attended to or who may have died, for reasons of
nonpayment in part or in full of hospital bills or medical expenses.

SEC. 2. Patients who have fully or partially recovered and who already wish to leave the hospital or medical clinic but are financially
incapable to settle, in part or in full, their hospitalization expenses, including professional fees and medicines, shall be allowed to leave the
hospital or medical clinic, with a right to demand the issuance of the corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent papers required
for the release of the patient from the hospital or medical clinic upon the execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligation. The
promissory note shall be secured by either a mortgage or by a guarantee of a co-maker, who will be jointly and severally liable with the
patient for the unpaid obligation. In the case of a deceased patient, the corresponding death certificate and other documents required for
interment and other purposes shall be released to any of his surviving relatives requesting for the same: Provided, however, That patients
who stayed in private rooms shall not be covered by this Act.

SEC. 3. Any officer or employee of the hospital or medical clinic responsible for releasing patients, who violates the provisions of this Act
shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), or
imprisonment of not less than one month, but not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the proper
court.

SEC. 4. The Department of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. If any provision of this Act is declared void and unconstitutional the remaining provisions hereof not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 6. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

Republic Act No. 8344 August 25, 1997

AN ACT PENALIZING THE REFUSAL OF HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CLINICS TO ADMINISTER APPROPRIATE INITIAL MEDICAL
TREATMENT AND SUPPORT IN EMERGENCY OR SERIOUS CASES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG

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702, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DEMAND OF DEPOSITS OR ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR THE
CONFINEMENT OR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CLINICS IN CERTAIN CASES"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled::

Section 1. Section 1 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other
officer, and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or
any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital or medical
clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine to prevent death or
permanent disability: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or medical clinic, the
attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where the appropriate care can be given, after the patient or his next of
kin consents to said transfer and after the receiving hospital or medical clinic agrees to the transfer: Provided, however, That
when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even
without his consent: Provided, further, That such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support
have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the
patient's continued confinement: Provided, furthermore, That no hospital or clinic, after being informed of the medical indications
for such transfer, shall refuse to receive the patient nor demand from the patient or his next of kin any deposit or advance
payment: Provided, finally, That strict compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal
made punishable by this Act."

Section 2. Section 2 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 is hereby deleted and in place thereof, new sections 2, 3 and 4 are added, to read as
follows:

"SEC. 2. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall govern:

"(a) 'Emergency' - a condition or state of a patient wherein based on the objective findings of a prudent medical officer
on duty for the day there is immediate danger and where delay in initial support and treatment may cause loss of life or
cause permanent disability to the patient.

"(b) 'Serious case' - refers to a condition of a patient characterized by gravity or danger wherein based on the objective
findings of a prudent medical officer on duty for the day when left unattended to, may cause loss of life or cause
permanent disability to the patient.

"(c) 'Confinement' - a state of being admitted in a hospital or medical clinic for medical observation, diagnosis, testing,
and treatment consistent with the capability and available facilities of the hospital or clinic.

"(d) 'Hospital' - a facility devoted primarily to the diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals suffering from illness,
disease, injury or deformity, or in need of obstetrical or other medical and nursing care. It shall also be construed as any
institution, building or place where there are facilities and personnel for the continued and prolonged care of patients.

"(e) 'Emergency treatment and support' - any medical or surgical measure within the capability of the hospital or medical
clinic that is administered by qualified health care professionals to prevent the death or permanent disability of a patient.

"(f) 'Medical clinic' - a place in which patients can avail of medical consultation or treatment on an outpatient basis.

"(g) 'Permanent disability' - a condition of physical disability as defined under Article 192-C and Article 193-B and C of
Presidential Decree No 442; as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.

"(h) 'Stabilize' - the provision of necessary care until such time that the patient may be discharged or transferred to
another hospital or clinic with a reasonable probability that no physical deterioration would result from or occur during
such discharge or transfer.

"SEC. 3. After the hospital or medical clinic mentioned above shall have administered medical treatment and support, it may
cause the transfer of the patient to an appropriate hospital consistent with the needs of the patient, preferably to a government
hospital, specially in the case of poor or indigent patients.

"SEC. 4. Any official, medical practitioner or employee of the hospital or medical clinic who violates the provisions of this Act shall,
upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day but not more than
two (2) years and four (4) months, or a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), but not more than One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the court: Provided, however, That if such violation was committed
pursuant to an established policy of the hospital or clinic or upon instruction of its management, the director or officer of such
hospital or clinic responsible for the formulation and implementation of such policy shall, upon conviction by final judgment, suffer
imprisonment of four (4) to six (6) years, or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), but not more than
Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the court."

Section 3. Section 3 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 is hereby repealed.

Section 4. Section 4 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 shall become Section 5 thereof and shall be amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 5. The Department of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act."

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: August 25, 1997

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8344,

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT PENALIZING THE REFUSAL OF HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CLINICS TO ADMINISTER
APPROPRIATE INITIAL MEDICAL TREATMENT AND SUPPORT IN EMERGENCY OR SERIOUS CASES, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 702, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DEMAND OF DEPOSITS OR
ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR THE CONFINEMENT OR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CLINICS IN
CERTAIN CASES"

WHEREAS, the Tenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 8344 on June 05, 1997;

WHEREAS, the President of the Republic of the Philippines signed into law R.A. 8344 on August 25, 1997;

WHEREAS, under Section 5 of R.A. 8344, the Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
to carry out the provisions of the aforementioned law.

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NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the provisions of R.A. 8344 authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations, the following are hereby issued:

1. Section 1 of said Act provides: "In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director,
manager or any other officer, and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or
accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for confinement or medical treatment of a patient in
such hospital or medical clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine
to prevent death or permanent disability: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or
medical clinic, the attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where appropriate care can be given, after the patient
or his next of kin consents to said transfer: Provided, however, That when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent
and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even without his consent, Provided, further, That such transfer shall
be done only after the necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it
has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient's continued confinement: Provided, finally, That strict
compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal made punishable by this Act."

2. For the purpose of implementing the above, the following definitions are provided:

2.1 Emergency - A condition or state of patient wherein based on the objective findings of a prudent medical officer on
duty for the day there is immediate danger and where delay in initial support and treatment may cause loss of life or
cause permanent disability to the patient.

2.2 Serious Case - refers to a condition of a patient characterized by gravity or danger wherein based on the objective
findings of a prudent medical officer on duty for the day when left unattended to, may cause loss of life or cause
permanent disability to the patient.

2.3 Confinement - a state of being admitted in a hospital or medical clinic for medical observation, diagnosis, testing,
and treatment consistent with the capability and available facilities of the hospital or clinic.

2.4 Hospital - a facility devoted primarily to the diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals or other medical and nursing
care. It shall also be construed as any institution, building or place where there are facilities and personnel for the
continued and prolonged care of patients. The hospital shall be duly licensed by the Bureau of Licensing and Regulation
of the DOH.

2.5 Emergency Treatment and Support - any medical or surgical measure within the capability of a hospital or medical
clinic that is administer by qualified health care professionals to prevent the death or permanent disability of a patient.
(In determining the capability of a hospital or clinic, the standards and the classification of these facilities set by the DOH
Bureau of Licensing and Regulation shall be used).

2.6 Medical Clinic - a place in which patients can avail of medical consultation or treatment on an outpatient basis.

2.7 Permanent Disability - a condition of physical disability as defined under Article 192-C and Article 193-B and C of
Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.

2.8 Stabilize - the provision of necessary care until such time that the patient may be discharged or transferred to
another hospital or clinic with a reasonable probability that no physical deterioration would result from or occur during
such discharge or transfer.

3. Transfer of Patients - Section 3 of R.A. 8344 provides: "After the hospital or medical clinic mentioned above shall have
administered medical treatment and consistent with the needs of the patients preferably to a government hospital, specially in the
case of poor or indigent patients."

3.1 The transferring and receiving hospital, shall be as much as practicable, be within ten (10) kilometer radius of each
other.

3.2 The transfer of patients contemplated under this Act shall at all times be properly documented.

3.3 Hospitals may require a deposit or advance payment when the patient is no longer under the state of emergency
and he/she refuses to be transferred.

4. All hospitals shall use a Uniform Discharge/Transfer Slip for cases covered by RA 8344 which shall include the following
information:

4.1 Admission Form of transferring hospital.

4.2 Transfer Form of Transferring Hospital, to include but not necessarily limited to the following information:

4.2.1 Vital signs

4.2.2 Name of Attending Physician

4.2.3 Treatment given to patient

4.2.4 Name of receiving hospital

4.2.5 Name of contact person and approving official at receiving hospital

4.2.6 Consent of the patient or companion. In case of an unaccompanied minor or patient, they may be
transferred without consent provided that the provisions of Section 1 of RA 8344 is strictly observed.

The hospital shall endeavor to use all forms of media to contact the next of kin of the unaccompanied minor or
patient.

4.2.7 In case of refusal of transfer, the name of the hospital, the name(s) of persons who refused and the
reason(s) for the refusal.

A copy of the Uniform Discharge/Transfer Slip is hereto attached as Annex A*.

5. Penal Provisions - any official, medical practitioner or employee of the hospital or medical clinic who violates the provisions of
RA 8344 shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day
but not more than two (2) years and four months, or a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) but not more
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court: Provided, however, That if such violation
was committed pursuant to an established policy of the hospital or clinic or upon instruction of its management, the director or
officer of such hospital or clinic responsible for the formulation and imprisonment of four (4) to six (6) years, or a fine of not less
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or both, at
the discretion of the court.

6. In order to demonstrate compliance with the Act's provisions, all hospitals and medical clinics are instructed to institute the
following measures:

6.1 A copy of the law and this implementing rules and regulations should be displayed prominently at hospital
emergency rooms, hospital admission, counters and medical clinic premises.

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6.2 Hospital and clinic managers shall establish billing and collection procedure for treatment or confinement of
emergency and serious cases which shall not commence until the essential appropriate treatment of such cases has
been completed.

6.3 Hospital and clinic managers shall instruct their personnel to provide prompt and immediate medical attention to
emergency and serious cases without any prior requirements for payment or deposit.

6.4 It is clarified that the law and this administrative order covers only the provision of medical and surgical goods and
services, and do not cover the provision of non-medical amenities which have nothing to do with the treatment of the
emergency or serious case. The provisions of and payment for these non-medical amenities shall be subject to
appropriate institutional business practice.

6.5 Alleged violations of the Act and this Order may be reported to the Bureau of Licensing and Regulations, Office for
Standards and Regulations, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila, or to the nearest Regional Health Office which
shall immediately conduct a fact-finding investigation. The findings shall be referred to the appropriate fiscal for criminal
prosecution. Persons convicted of violation shall be punished in accordance with the Act.

6.6 At the instance of the Bureau of Licensing and Regulation, Administrative proceedings may also be pursued against
erring clinics or hospitals that could lead to either suspension or revocation of appropriate licenses.

These Rules and Regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Adopted: February 18, 1998

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