Makati City Mayor and senatorial aspirant Abby Binay underscored on Saturday, March 15, the need for the Department of Health (DOH) to allocate additional funding for the operation of health centers in the country.

Binay made the statement during her sortie in Tacloban, saying that the health department should not impose additional burdens on local governments by building health centers but passing the responsibility for funding their operations to localities

"It is an unfair expectation for many LGUs, especially those in poorer municipalities. Kapag tatayuan ng health center, ang LGU ang maghahanap ng doctor, nurse, at magme-maintain ng facility. Chances are, ang munisipyo o LGU ay walang kapasidad (It is an unfair expectation for many LGUs, especially those in poorer municipalities. Once a health center is built, it's up to the LGUs to look for doctors, nurses, and other employees for the facility's operation and maintenance. Chances are, the LGUs do not have the capacity to do this)," Binay said.

She then called for a more consultative approach between the DOH and local governments.

"There has to be a connection. Kailangan may consultation palagi between the DOH and the LGU para ma-encourage nga sila na magbukas pa ng super health centers (There should be a consultation between the DOH and the LGU to encourage them to build more super health centers)," the mayor explained, adding that the national government must ensure that the health needs of the people are addressed effectively, without compromising the financial stability of LGUs.

The senatorial aspirant also proposed a possible solution to the funding problem.

She said that LGUs could form themselves into clusters and share in the costs of operating a super health center strategically positioned to be accessible to all cluster members.