President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed at least six laws establishing new hospitals in Laguna and Zamboanga del Sur provinces and increasing bed capacities in four cities in the country.

The creation of the new hospitals and approval for increased bed capacities were contained in Republic Acts (RAs) 12203, 12204, 12205, 12206, 12207, and 12208 signed by Marcos on May 8.

RA 12203 raised the bed capacity of the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan to 1,500 beds from the current 600 beds.

Marcos also increased the bed capacity of the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in the city of Marikina from 500 to 1,000 beds through RA 12204.

Based on RA 12205, the bed capacity in Laguna Provincial Hospital – San Pedro District Hospital in San Pedro City, Laguna was also raised to 50 from the current 15 beds.

RA 12207, meanwhile, authorizes the increase in the bed capacity of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur to 800 from 400 beds.

The existing professional healthcare services and facilities in these hospitals are upgraded to conform and be commensurate to the increase in bed capacity.

Marcos also signed RA 12206, approving the establishment of a district hospital in Ramon Magsaysay town in Zamboanga del Sur province, which will be known as Zamboanga del Sur First District Hospital.

RA 12208, on the other hand, allows the creation of a general hospital in the city of Calamba in Laguna, which will be known as Calamba City General Hospital.

The local governments of Zamboanga del Sur and Calamba City, Laguna are directed to provide the necessary funds for the establishment of the new hospitals.

These new laws also instruct the Department of Health (DOH) to include in its subsidy program the support for the capital outlay requirements of the new hospitals.

The newly signed laws that were made public on Wednesday take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)