President Marcos asked local government units (LGUs) to support the implementation of the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics,” as he stressed that healthcare for Filipinos should be a right and not a privilege.

Marcos said this as he led the turnover of 28 “Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics” in Port Area, Manila, which would be distributed to various LGUs in Mindanao.

In his speech, the President the program would be rendered useless if it would inaccessible to the people. 

“Sa mga serbisyo pong ito, mayroon tayong pagkakataong maiwasan o maagapan ang mga sakit tulad ng tuberculosis, diabetes, sakit sa bato, at iba pa (Through this program, we have a chance to prevent diseases such as tuberculosis, diabetes, kidney diseases, and others),” he said.

“Ngunit kahit gaano kagaganda at kamoderno ang ating mga gamit sa loob ng mobile clinic, ito ay mawawalan ng halaga kung hindi naman magagamit ng ating kababayan. Dito po kinakailangan ng suporta at serbisyo ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan (However, these modern mobile clinics would be useless if the people weren’t able to use them. We need the support of the local governments in this regard),” he added.

Marcos said the LGUs will serve as the bridge that will connect the people and the national government for the success of the Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics, which aim to provide “medical services, dignity, trust, and hope” to Filipinos, especially those in far-flung areas.

Among the 28 LGUs that received the mobile clinics are Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

‘Healthcare is a right’

In his speech, President Marcos reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing quality and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos.

“Ang kalusugan ay karapatan, hindi pribilehiyo. At sa bawat pag-usad ng mobile clinic, tinitiyak natin dama ito ng bawat Pilipino (Health is a right, not a privilege, and with each mobile clinic we ensure that every Filipino will feel that),” he said.

“Inaasahan natin na mapapalapit ang serbisyong medikal sa mga lugar na matagal nang nangangailangan ng higit na atensyon—ang mga Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas or GIDAs (We expect that we will make medical services more accessible to GIDAs that have long been in need for medical attention),” he added

Each mobile clinic unit offers health consultations and is equipped with modern medical tools and equipment for early diagnosis, such as X-ray, ultrasound, and laboratory analysis. 

The distribution of the mobile clinics is in line with Republic Act No. 11223 or the Health Sector 8-Point Action Agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2020-2040. 

The mobile clinics are expected to improve accessibility to primary care services and help with early diagnosis and management of health conditions. They will also strengthen the local health system and increase healthcare capacity. 

The Department of Health (DOH) has procured 83 mobile clinics valued at P10 million each. 

The mobile clinic vehicles will be delivered via a cargo ship and turned over to the provincial LGUs for distribution.