- *MITCH M. LIPA
The law that will formally establish the Bacolod City General Hospital – Republic Act No. 11564 – was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte during the ceremonial signing ceremony in Malacañang on June 24.
Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya, who authored House Bill 6731 that was approved by the Lower House last year, witnessed the signing online.
The counterpart Senate Bill No. 1647, filed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, was approved last month.
The Senate allotted P600 million for the establishment of the Bacolod City General Hospital, and the funds will be included in the 2022 General Appropriations Act, under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health.
Gasataya said that, as someone who had firsthand experience of how difficult it is to have a sick family member and barely have means to pay for hospitalization, he understands the need for better public healthcare.
“This is why I made healthcare and medical assistance our priority in Congress,” he added.
Gasataya thanked Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto, Senate Majority Leader Zubiri, Senator Bong Go – Senate Committee on Health chairman, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Health Secretary Francisco Duque and the DOH, House Committee on Health chairwoman Rep. Angelina Tan, and the LGU of Bacolod City for their support to the legislation.
He added that, in the 17th Congress, RA 11441, increasing the bed capacity of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, from 400 to 1,000, was enacted into law from his proposed bill in the House that aims to decongest the local healthcare system and provide quality and affordable healthcare for Bacolodnons in the hope that even future generations will always have someone to turn to when they become sick. – MML
