Duterte signs law upgrading Bicol hospital

MANILA, Philippines  — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go yesterday thanked President Duterte for signing into law a bill upgrading the Bicol Medical Center.

Republic Act 11478, which Go sponsored as chairman of the Senate committee on health, increases the bed capacity of the hospital from 500 to 1,000 beds and upgrades its facilities and services.

“Inaprubahan na po ni Pangulong Duterte ang batas na naglalayong mas maisaayos ang Bicol Medical Center. Para po ito sa mga kababayan nating Bikolano,” Go said.

“Patuloy po tayong nagtatrabaho upang mas i-angat pa ang kalidad ng ating mga pampublikong ospital sa kahit saang parte ng bansa lalo na ngayon na may hinaharap tayong pandemya,” he added.

The measure is expected to improve the delivery of medical and healthcare services in Bicol.
It is the fourth health-related measure Duterte signed into law since last week.

The President also signed RA 11472, which upgrades the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City from 150 to 500 beds; RA 11473, which upgrades the Talisay District Hospital in Cebu into a medical center to be known as the Cebu South Medical Center, and RA 11474 which upgrades the Maria L. Eleazar District Hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon into tertiary hospital.

Go said enhancing the capacities and capabilities of public health facilities is among his priorities as a legislator.

“The country has a bed-to-population ratio of one-to-1,083. This is beyond the recommended ideal target ratio of one-to-1,000,” he said.

Go said government hospitals need an additional 131,250 beds.