Ako Bicol Partly-list Rep. Elizaldy Co on Wednesday vowed to support the plans of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to transform the healthcare system in the Philippines. Co, also the House Committee on Appropriations Chair, said he would be part of the “collective effort” to secure the necessary funding for the revitalization of crucial healthcare facilities across the country. He said, the ‘legacy projects initiated by the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. have remained stagnant for far too long, with minimal development over the years.’ ‘I fully support President Bongbong Marcos’ commitment to continue and enhance these projects, as they hold tremendous potential to improve healthcare services for our people,’ he said. President Marcos, in his speech last Monday during the inspection of the site where the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center (CMSMC) will be built in Pampanga, said his administration is “determined” to bring quality healthcare services by establishing primary healthcare facilities and specialty centers nationwide. He said his administration’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) aims to widen access to quality healthcare services, especially to those from underserved communities. Relatively, Co noted that through the efforts of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the House of Representatives, substantial budget allocations have been appropriated to facilitate the much-needed improvements for the existing “legacy projects”. He said an initial appropriation of PHP500 million has been secured for each specialty hospital through the collaborative efforts of Congress. The funds, he said, will be used for the improvement of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and the West Visayas State University Medical Center, as well as the establishment of the Philippine Cancer Center, which will be a legacy project of the current administration. “President Marcos Jr. envisions emulating the approach taken by President Marcos Sr. in Metro Manila and replicating it across the entire Philippines, ensuring that government hospitals in every region provide equal access to medical care. Regardless of one’s economic status, every Filipino will witness their taxes working for their well-being,” he said. Co said the collaborative efforts between the Executive and Legislative branches would help bring about a “transformative era in Philippine healthcare”, which would bridge the healthcare gap and provide equitable healthcare access. “As Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the necessary funding and resources are allocated to support President Bongbong Marcos’ vision. Together with the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, we will strive to build a healthcare system that provides equitable access to high-quality medical services for every Filipino,’ he said. Co also highlighted the significance of government-backed hospitals, which could be established in various regions without the primary concern of generating revenue. “This allows us to focus on delivering excellent medical care to our people, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds,” he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency