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ORDINANCE NO. 2025-112

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A DENTAL CLINIC AT THE NAGA CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH, AND PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR:-

Authors: City Councilor Jessie R. Albeus, D.M.D

Senior Citizen Councilor Simeon Jesus B. Adan Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right to health is a fundamental human right enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates the State to protect and promote the health of the people. Specifically:

• Article II, Section 15 states: “The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

• Article XIII, Section 11 further provides: “The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.”

In accordance with Section 17 (b) (2) (iii) of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), cities are mandated to provide health services and implement programs addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases. This provision affirms the right of every constituent to access essential health services, including oral health care. Despite these legal foundations, oral health programs remain among the least prioritized areas in many local government units across the country. Dental services are often underfunded, understaffed, and underutilized, leaving vulnerable populations without access to essential care. In Naga City, however, the local government recognizes the urgent need to reverse this trend. By establishing a dedicated Dental Clinic within the Naga City General Hospital, the City aims to elevate the importance of oral health and integrate dental services into its core public health agenda.

Oral health is a vital component of overall health and well-being. It affects how individuals eat, speak, socialize, and maintain self-esteem. Yet, it is often overlooked in public health planning, especially among underserved populations.

Poor oral health can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infections that may extend beyond the oral cavity. Chronic gum disease, for instance, has been linked to systemic conditions such as diabetes, where inflammation can worsen glycemic control, and cardiovascular diseases, due to the spread of oral bacteria into the bloodstream contributing to arterial plaque formation. In severe cases, oral infections—particularly those involving periodontal disease—can result in subacute bacterial endocarditis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the heart’s inner lining, especially among individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. These connections underscore the critical role of oral health in maintaining overall physical health and preventing serious medical complications.

According to the World Health Organization, the ideal dentist-to-population ratio is 1:7,500, while the Department of Health of the Philippines sets a more modest standard of 1:20,000. With an estimated population of 210,545, Naga City would require at least 28 dentists to meet the World Health Organization’s standards, and at least 10 to meet the DOH standards. Currently, the City Government of Naga has only four dentists in its plantilla—three assigned at the City Health Office I and one at the City Health Office II in Barangay Sta. Cruz. These two clinics serve the entire city, which is far below both international and national benchmarks.

The establishment of a Dental Clinic within the Naga City General Hospital, a government-run institution, is a strategic and compassionate response to this public health need. It will not only expand geographic access to oral health services but also allow for a more equitable distribution of our existing dental workforce. As a primary healthcare provider in the city, the hospital serves thousands of patients annually, many of whom cannot afford private dental services. Integrating dental care into its existing services ensures that oral health is no longer treated as secondary, but as an essential part of holistic medical care.

This initiative will:

• Provide accessible and affordable dental services to indigent patients and senior citizens.
• Promote preventive oral health education to reduce the incidence of dental diseases.
• Support early detection and treatment of oral conditions that may lead to more serious health complications.
• Enhance the quality of life for residents of Naga City through improved oral hygiene and care.

By investing in oral health infrastructure, the City Government affirms its commitment to inclusive and equitable healthcare. The proposed appropriation will cover the initial setup, equipment, staffing, and operational costs, ensuring that the clinic is fully functional and sustainable. This ordinance proposes that the four government dentists be reassigned strategically across the two current and two proposed clinics, ensuring that each facility is staffed and operational, and that no community is left underserved. This measure is a concrete step toward bringing oral health services closer to our beloved Nagueños—making dental care more accessible, more equitable, and more responsive to the needs of every sector of our city.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this ordinance is earnestly sought.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga, that:

SECTION 1. TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Ordinance Establishing the Naga City General Hospital Dental Clinic.“

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. It is hereby declared the policy of the City Government of Naga to promote and protect the health and well-being of its constituents. Recognizing that oral health is an integral component of overall health, the City shall ensure accessible, affordable, and quality dental services to all, especially the underserved and vulnerable sectors.

SECTION 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A DENTAL CLINIC. There is hereby established a Dental Clinic within the premises of the Naga City General Hospital, which shall provide preventive, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative dental services.

SECTION 4. OBJECTIVES. The Dental Clinic shall aim to:

• Provide free or subsidized dental care to indigent patients.
• Promote oral health awareness and education.
• Conduct regular dental check-ups, prophylaxis (cleaning), restorative procedures, and minor oral surgery.
• Serve as a referral center for complex dental cases, once an oral surgeon specialist becomes available.

SECTION 5. DENTAL STAFF. The Dental Clinic shall be staffed by the following personnel:

• One (1) Dentist II

• One (1) Dental Aide

For the initial phase of implementation, Dentists from the City Health Office shall be assigned to duty at least twice a week at the Naga City General Hospital. The Dentist shall continue to render Barangay Dental Health Services on their assigned barangays in pursuit of the Oral Advocacy Programs.

SECTION 6. DENTAL SERVICES. The Dental Clinic shall operate from Mondays to Fridays rendering basic dental services and all other procedures covered under the Philhealth Konsulta Package such as but not limited to:

• Oral examinations
• Dental cleaning (prophylaxis)
• Fluoride varnish application
• Fissure sealants
• Emergency tooth extractions
• Dental consultations
• Restorative Procedures
• Minor and Special Oral Surgical Procedures, depending on the competence of the Dentist on duty
• Simple Prosthodontic Procedures (Removable Dentures)

The City Human Resource and Management Office Head in consultation with the City Health Officer and upon the approval of the City Mayor, shall cause the assignment of the personnel once the facility of the Dental Clinic is available for occupancy and operation.

SECTION 7. DENTAL FEES. The Chief of Hospital shall submit to the Sangguniang Panlungsod the Proposed Rates for various appropriate Dental Fees, for review and approval. Fees in excess of the Philhealth Konsulta Package shall be paid by the clients.

SECTION 8. INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN AND PROCUREMENT. The City Engineer’s Office (CEO) is hereby mandated to design and oversee the construction or renovation of a suitable space within the premises of the Naga City General Hospital to house the dental clinic. The design shall ensure compliance with the health and safety standards of the Department of Health.

The City Budget Office and the City Procurement Office are likewise directed to facilitate the timely acquisition of the dental chair, equipment, instruments, and materials necessary for the full operation of the clinic. All actions under this section shall be undertaken under the direct supervision of the City Mayor.

SECTION 9. APPROPRIATIONS. The necessary amount to carry out the effective implementation of this Ordinance shall be charged to the 2026 Annual Budget or the 2025 Surplus of the City Government. Future operational requirements shall be included in the annual budget of the Naga City General Hospital.

SECTION 10. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING. The Chief of Hospital of the Naga City General Hospital shall submit quarterly reports on the operations and performance of the Dental Clinic to the Office of the City Mayor, copy furnished the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The Administrator of the Naga City General Hospital shall formulate the necessary Implementing Rules and Procedures of the Dental Clinic within sixty (60) days upon approval of this Ordinance.

SECTION 11. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. REPEALING CLAUSE. All ordinances, resolutions, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVITY. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its approval and posting at the official social media accounts of the City Government of Naga.

ENACTED: December 9, 2025

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

GABRIEL H. BORDADO JR.
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

GIL A. DE LA TORRE
Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

APPROVED: 12/15/25

MARIA LEONOR G. ROBREDO 
City Mayor