President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on June 30, 2020. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill upgrading the capacity of Bicol Medical Center.
Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11478 which increases the hospital’s capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds, his former aide and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Wednesday.
“Inaprubahan na po ni Pangulong Duterte ang batas na naglalayong mas maisaayos ang Bicol Medical Center. Para po ito sa mga kababayan nating Bikolano,” said Go, chair of the Senate committee on health, in a statement.
(President Duterte approved the law which aims to improve the Bicol Medical Center. This is for our Bicolano countrymen.)
Bicol has so far recorded 118 COVID-19 cases.
The President also previously signed a law which increases the bed capacity and upgrades the services of Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City.
Duterte likewise signed laws upgrading the Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Cebu to Cebu South Medical Center and Maria L. Eleazar District Hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon to Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital.
“In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, enhancing our government hospitals to be able to provide quality, accessible and efficient healthcare services is so important now, more than ever,” Go said.