Re-centralization of Hospital Licensure by DOH

Reestablish a One-Stop Shop Licensure System at DOH Central Office to standardize PTC evaluations and regulation of Level 3 and Level 4 hospitals nationwide.

BHFS handles issuance of PTC for all hospital levels, issuance of LTO for all new hospitals, changes in existing LTOs, and renewal of LTO for Level 3 and Level 4 hospitals.
CHDs retain renewal of LTO for Level 1 and Level 2 hospitals.

Applicant: Hospital applying for Permit to Construct and LTO.
BHFS: Bureau of Health Facilities and Services.
CHD: Center for Health Development.
DOH: Department of Health.
DOH-PTC: DOH-issued Permit to Construct, prerequisite for LTO, required for new construction, alterations, expansions, reclassification, or bed capacity increases.
LTO: License to Operate issued by DOH for hospital operation; prerequisite for accreditation.
One-Stop Shop Licensure: DOH strategy to harmonize hospital and ancillary facility licensure.

DOH Central Office via BHFS shall implement licensure for new hospitals and renewal of Level 3 and 4 hospitals LTOs.
Secretary of Health or authorized representative issues all new and renewal LTOs covered by BHFS jurisdiction.
CHDs continue handling renewal of Level 1 and 2 hospital LTOs.

Secretariat located at DOH Central Office, staffed by BHFS and FDA personnel full-time.
Overseen by BHFS Director IV.
Secretariat trained to evaluate applications, answer queries, and perform related duties.
Secretariat at CHD supervised by regulation division chief.

Health Facility Establishment Review Committee (HFERC) created under BHFS to review PTC applications.
HFERC composed of technical experts including physician, nurse, architect/engineer, and others.
HFERC must act within 5 working days upon receiving complete application and required documents.
All PTC applications submitted to DOH Central Office.

Process governed by administrative guidelines from previous DOH administrative orders.
One-Stop Shop secretariat processes and presents applications for Secretary of Health’s signature.
LTO and documents endorsed to BHFS Records Unit for release.
LTO validity set at one (1) calendar year (January 1 to December 31).

DOH Central Office renews Level 3 and Level 4 hospital LTOs.
CHDs renew Level 1 and Level 2 hospital LTOs.
LTO considered lapsed if not renewed within 90 calendar days after expiration.
Lapsed license results in automatic cancellation and requires re-application including new PTC.

CHDs to provide BHFS with status reports on violations and annual hospital statistics during transition from decentralization to recentralization.

Applicants pay fees at DOH Central Office cashier or CHD cashier depending on hospital level and service.
Fees follow schedules set under previous DOH administrative orders.

Investigations of complaints regarding Level 3 and Level 4 hospitals conducted by concerned regulatory Bureau.
Hospitals denied LTO or subject to suspension/revocation may file motion for reconsideration.
Appeals of denial or final decision escalate to Office of the Secretary within ten (10) days.
Secretary’s decision is final and executory.

Fines and sanctions follow established guidelines from previous DOH administrative orders.
Suspension or revocation orders for Level 3 and 4 hospitals issued by Secretary of Health or authorized representative and enforced by BHFS.

CHDs must submit inventory reports of pending PTC and LTO applications for Level 3 and 4 hospitals to BHFS upon effectivity.
New applications for hospital PTC, initial LTO, and renewals for Level 3 and 4 hospitals directed to BHFS.
Provisions are temporary; decentralization may resume upon meeting specified conditions.

Previous inconsistent or contrary administrative issuances are rescinded or modified accordingly.

If any part of the Order is declared invalid, unaffected provisions remain valid and effective.

Order takes effect fifteen (15) days after approval and publication in a newspaper of general circulation.