The Senate has passed on second reading 13 bills aimed at improving, developing, and establishing public hospitals in different parts of the country.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, sponsored these bills recognizing the urgent need to upgrade health facilities throughout the country. This need has been highlighted by the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“Pinaghirapan nating maipasa ito para sa kapakanan ng mahihirap nating mga kababayan (We worked hard to pass these measures for the welfare of our poor countrymen),” Go said.
These measures include bills increasing the bed capacity of Lying-in Clinic in Rizal, Palawan; Naguilian District Hospital in Naguilian, La Union; Rosario District Hospital in Rosario, La Union; Sinait District Hospital in Sinait, Ilocos Sur; East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City; and the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Misamis Occidental.
Other bills that passed the second reading phase in lawmaking include measures establishing the Bacolod City General Hospital in Bacolod, Negros Occidental; Eastern Pangasinan Regional Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales, Pangasinan; Davao Occidental General Hospital in Malita, Davao Occidental; and the Neptali Gonzales Hospital in Mandaluyong City.
Bills converting the Medina Extension Hospital in Medina, Misamis Oriental into a general hospital; and the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital also passed second reading.
Another bill increasing the bed capacity of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City also hurdled the second reading in the Senate plenary.
In a sponsorship speech for the measures on May 17, Go said that the COVID-19 pandemic has made government more cognizant of the need to capacitate and improve our public health facilities.
“Lalo na po sa mga probinsya na talagang kulang na kulang ang mga health facilities(Especially in the provinces which have insufficient health facilities). Sa pag-iikot ko po sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa, nakita ko po mismo ang kakulangan natin sa hospital beds at equipment. Minsan po ang mga pasyente sa hospital corridor na nakaratay. Kawawa po ang ating mga kababayan. In going around the different parts of the country, I have seen for myself the lack of hospital beds and equipment. There are times that the patients have to be accommodated in the hospital corridors. I pity our countrymen),” Go said.
He also noted that the need to increase hospital bed capacity of most public hospitals has been a challenge during the public health crisis, prompting authorities to establish modular hospitals.
“Ngayong pandemya, problema natin ang kakulangan natin sa hospital beds, particularly ICU beds (Now that we are in a pandemic, the lack of hospital beds is really a problem, particularly ICU beds). Kinakailangan po nating mag-impose ng mas mahigpit na community quarantine restrictions para makahinga ang ating health system. We need to impose stricter community quarantine restrictions so our health system can rest),” he said.
“Kinailangan rin po natin magtayo ng temporary facilities and modular hospitals for COVID-19 cases (We also need to establish temporary facilities and modular hospitals for COVID-19 cases). Ayaw na po natin maulit na darating tayo sa punto na wala nang kama na available para sa may sakit. Dapat po ay laging handa ang ating mga pampublikong ospital na magserbisyo sa mga pasyente (We do not want to have a repeat of a situation where there are no beds available for the sick. Our public hospitals must be always ready to serve the patients),” he added.
It is for these reasons that Go stressed the need to improve health capacity and delivery in the provinces to help enhance the health and overall well-being of all Filipinos.
He also emphasized that Filipino families must be able to enjoy easy access to responsive health care systems even in the provinces and rural areas.
As for the proposal to get the funds needed to implement the measures from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and the Pension and Gratuity Fund, Go said that President Duterte might not agree with the suggestion.
“Hinggil sa iminumungkahing kukunin ang pondo mula sa pension and benefit funds, hindi naman papayag ang Pangulong Duterte na mabawasan ang pondo na para naman sa ibang mga Pilipinong nangangailangan nito. (Regarding the issue that the fund will be taken from the pension and benefit funds, President Duterte will not allow that the funds intended for other Filipinos in need will be deducted),” said Go.
Go said that funds from the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of DOH should be used instead for the upgrading and establishment of the hospitals.
In a statement, Go said that he has been dutifully performing his responsibilities as senator, stressing that time is of the essence especially during the present public health emergency.
“Para sa akin, walang tulog ang pagseserbisyo. Nagtatrabaho ako 24/7, kahit anong oras at araw pa yan. Ayaw kong pinapatagal pa ang dapat gawin lalo na’t marami sa mga kababayan natin ang naghihirap ngayon (For me, service does not sleep. I work 24/7 anytime or day. I do not want to delay what is supposed to be done especially that many of our countrymen are currently in a difficult situation,” he added.
‘’Basta tama at sang-ayon sa polisiya ang ating ginagawa, ayaw kong may papatay-patay sa trabaho dahil sa bawat oras na sinasayang natin, buhay ang nakasalalay dito (As long as it is right and in accordance with the policy what we are doing, Kaya mabilis palagi ang aking aksyon pagdating sa kung ano ang makakabuti sa bawat Pilipino. I do not want a slow action because for every time wasted, life is at stake. The is the reason why we act fast when it comes to whatever is good for every Filipino),” he stressed.
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