Duterte OKs 4 bills establishing, upgrading local hospitals — Go

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law four measures seeking to establish or upgrade local hospitals in the country, his long-time aide and now Senator Bong Go said Tuesday.

Go said these measures aim to improve health care services in Tayabas City, Quezon; Calbayog City, Samar; Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; and Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

Among the newly signed measures are:

• Republic Act No. 11702 which establishes the Southern Luzon Medical Center in Tayabas City
• RA 11703 which establishes the Samar Island Medical Center in Calbayog City
• RA 11705 which establishes the Ilocos Sur Medical Center in Candon City
• RA 11704 which increases the bed capacity of the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City. This is also home to a Malasakit Center.

Malacañang has yet to release a copy of these measures.

Go said the Department of Health will be in charge of their operations.

“The necessity to equip and upgrade our government health institutions is underscored as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also our responsibility as legislators to push for measures to address the lack of adequate facilities and equipment in our government hospitals, particularly at these critical times,” Go said in a statement.

“I laud the President for his immediate action and continuous support in our bid to improve the healthcare system in the country,” he added.

The senator, who sponsored the measures in the Senate, said the newly enacted laws will help address issues on delivery of public health services and will also complement the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.

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