MANILA, March 22 -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill that seeks to provide specialized health services to the general public by establishing specialty care center in select hospitals in all regions of the Philippines based on the prevalence and burden of disease.

House Bill No. 7751, or the Department of Health Specialty Centers Act, mandates the establishment of specialty centers in select hospitals under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Health (DOH) that shall address particular conditions and provide specific procedures and management of cases requiring specialized training and equipment.

The bill is a consolidation of House Bills 4334, 5563 and 6666 respectively autho...