ON Monday, February 3, the Senate approved on the third and final reading a series of bills aimed at upgrading public hospitals and establishing new medical facilities in various provinces.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who principally sponsored these bills as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, thanked his colleagues for supporting these measures, emphasizing their role in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga kasamahan ko dito sa Senado for supporting the passage of these measures, ito pong mga hospital bills,” Senator Go expressed in gratitude.
He acknowledged that the country’s healthcare system remains far from ideal compared to its Asian neighbors and wealthier nations. Despite this, he stressed the importance of continuously working toward improvements.
“Sadly, our healthcare system is still very far from what we can call ‘ideal’, much less ‘strong’. Malayong-malayo pa po tayo sa healthcare system ng ating mga kapitbahay sa Asya at lalo na sa mga mayayamang bansa. But we must never give up — and we are not giving up. Every effort we make, every legislation we pass is a step towards strengthening our healthcare system and improving access to medical services,” he underscored.
The approved measures, if eventually enacted into laws, primarily focus on increasing the bed capacity of select government hospitals, an issue he has witnessed firsthand during his visits to different provinces.
“Sa kakaikot ko po sa buong Pilipinas, minsan sa isang kama, dalawang pasyente po. Paano gagaling ang pasyente niyan, kung ganon po ang kanilang kinakatayuan? The more we should invest sa ating healthcare system,” he pointed out.
Among the Senate-approved hospital bills are:
– HBN 10081 – Increasing the bed capacity of Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, from 600 to 1,500 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10083 – Increasing the bed capacity of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City, Metro Manila, from 500 to 1,000 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10258 – Increasing the bed capacity of Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, from 400 to 800 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10472 – Increasing the bed capacity of Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City, Cavite, from 100 to 300 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10241 – Establishing Ramon Magsaysay District Hospital in the Municipality of Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur, and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10306 – Establishing Santo Tomas Municipal Hospital in the Municipality of Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10444 – Establishing Calamba City General Hospital in Calamba City, Laguna, and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10146 – Increasing the bed capacity of Laguna Provincial Hospital – San Pedro District Hospital in San Pedro City, Laguna, from 35 to 50 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10418 – Increasing the bed capacity of Wao District Hospital in Wao, Lanao del Sur, from 25 to 100 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
– HBN 10445 – Increasing the bed capacity of Tomas Lachica District Hospital in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, from 25 to 50 beds and appropriating funds therefor.
Senator Go stressed that the approval of these bills is a crucial step in ensuring that Filipinos, especially those who cannot afford private healthcare, have access to quality medical services.
“Sa totoo lamang po, ang mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan ang pumupunta sa mga pampublikong ospital. Para po ito sa kanila. Dapat nating siguruhin na ang bawat Pilipino, lalong-lalo na ang mga walang kakayahang magbayad, ay inaalagaan ng pamahalaan, may matakbuhan sila sa pamamagitan ng mabilis na access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan,” he emphasized.
He further underscored that every new hospital bed or additional facility could mean the difference between life and death for patients in need.
“Sa bawat kama na maidadagdag natin sa mga pampublikong ospital ay maaaring katumbas ng isang buhay na maililigtas. Sa bawat ospital na ating maitatatag ay maaaring kalusugan ng isang buong komunidad ang katumbas,” he remarked.
Reiterating his long-standing advocacy for accessible healthcare, Senator Go concluded by stating that investing in the health sector is equivalent to safeguarding the lives of Filipinos.
“Katumbas po ng kalusugan ay buhay ng bawat Pilipino. I am glad that we are taking the right steps. Naniniwala po ako na health is wealth at katumbas po ito ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he declared.
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