Senate approves 13 local hospital bills

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate yesterday approved on third and final reading Sen. Bong Go’s 13 local hospital bills seeking to improve the delivery of health care services to poor Filipinos by increasing bed capacity of several hospitals across the country.

Go thanked his colleagues for their support in pushing for the measures that will boost the country’s health care capacity by adding more beds, establishing more hospitals and strengthening public medical service.

“Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to thank this chamber for approving the much-needed upgrade to our health care capacity,” said Go in his manifestation.

“Thank you to all our colleagues here in the Senate, majority or minority, to you, Mr. President (Senate President Vicente Sotto III) and to our Majority Floor Leader Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri for providing the needed assistance in shepherding these measures for their passage,” Go said.

He also noted the assistance of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon for reminding the body of the issue of devolution of health services which should be studied extensively.

Drilon secured a total of P4.8-billion funding for the upgrade of nine hospitals in the country for 2022 in support of Go’s measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I know both of us are just passionate about wanting to make lives better for all Filipinos. Honestly, it’s not a problem for me to have Senate hearings every day. Even if our majority floor leader is doing a boxing match, it is only for the sake of our people,” he said in jest.

Go said he personally witnessed the state of the public health care system in various regions where some hospitals are operating at a 400 percent occupancy rate.

“How will the patients get well? We need to increase the bed capacity and the time to act is now,” he stressed.

He noted that there is a process to go through that even though issues have already been heard at the committee, there is still a need to ensure that the requirements are complete.

“Because the laws we will pass may not be implemented if the requirements are not complete, so we are avoiding vetoing these bills that we have really worked for,” he said in Filipino.

He added that it is part of the discretion of the committee chairman when to tackle any measure. “In fact, 16 of my bills have not been heard by the respective committees, but I respect the discretion of my colleagues if and when they see it fit to hear the measures under their committees.”

He said last year, the health committee focused on national bills which would make the country better prepared for future pandemics.

“We also managed to pass 11 hospital laws where requirements have already been submitted. Like I said, it is and has always been my passion to help our fellow Filipinos. And I will not stop fighting for what is good for our kababayans, especially our poor Filipino brothers and sisters. No matter what hardships I go through, as long as it is for the welfare of our poor countrymen, I will fight,” he said.

“There is a lack of hospitals, beds and equipment because we do not immediately fund our health system. I am glad that we are taking the right steps so that we can be better prepared for any future pandemics,” he added.

Approved on final reading increasing their capacity resources were House Bill 6972 or the Eastern Visayas Medical Center, HBN 6971 or the Gov. Benjamin Romuladez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center, HBN 6730 or the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, HBN 6728 or the East Avenue Medical Center, HBN 7321 or the Davao Occidental General Hospital, HBN 6850 or the Eastern Pangasinan Regional Medical and Trauma Center, HBN 6753 or the First Misamis Oriental General Hospital, HBN 6731 or the Bacolod City General Hospital, HBN 6729 or the Rosario District Hospital, HBN 6727 or the Sinait District Hospital, HBN 6498 or the Naguilian District Hospital in La Union, HBN 5870 or the Senate President Neptali A. Gonzales General Hospital and HBN 2582 or the Rizal, Palawan Lying-in Clinic.