JUNE 29, 2011

NR # 2450B

Batangas solon prods govt to improve basic health services in the country
The Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means has urged the Executive Branch of government to channel the improvement and upgrade of basic health services in the country through the local government units (LGUs), which are in a better position to deliver health services in their areas of jurisdiction. In House Resolution 1384, Rep. Hermilando I. Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas) also proposed the utilization of LGUs unreleased Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), which accumulated since 1992, for the delivery of basic health services devolved to the local governments. LGUs do not have much debt exposure and have the capability to access investment and foreign assistance for their respective localities. Any loans or indebtedness incurred by LGUs shall be paid from the receivables accruing to the LGU due to unreleased IRA, Mandanas said. Mandanas also recommended tapping the Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds for the improvement of health care services to attain complete, advanced and departmentalized government hospital facilities and medical services. ODA funds may likewise be used for the acquisition of recent technologies for diagnosis, treatment and medical care to ensure the improvement of quality health services to Filipinos, Mandanas added. In pushing for the House resolution, Mandanas said despite governments effort in bringing basic health care services to every remote area, health discrimination remains the foremost health issue in the Philippines. High percentage of malnourished Filipino children, high cost of medicines compared to nearby countries in Asia, high Filipino mortality rate due to poverty and lack of medical attention show the actual state of healthcare in the Philippines, Mandanas said. To address the dismal quality of delivery of basic health services in the country, Mandanas said government must channel the improvement and upgrade of basic health service standards through LGUs as these have already been proven to be effective in rendering basic health services in the communities. Under the resolution, the LGUs, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), are encouraged to initiate and lead the construction and or rehabilitation and maintenance of government hospital buildings and other government hospital facilities and the procurement of recent technological equipments and services for diagnosis, treatment and other related medical services. The resolution further encourages the LGUs to source the ODA facilities from countries, which can provide funds for this crucial government initiative. The LGUs are to be assisted by the DOH, Department of Finance (DOF), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the resolution says. (30) jy