BAGONG Henerasyon (BH) Party-list spokesperson and former Rep. Bernadette Herrera has issued an urgent appeal to the Department of Health (DOH) to stop delaying aid and referrals for patients during the congressional transition, stressing that government support for the sick must never be subject to political timing.
“Nananawagan ako sa DOH. Hindi naman po namin pinipili ang timing ng pagkakasakit ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi rin dapat nakadepende sa kung sino ang nakaupong congressman ang pagtulong sa kanila,” Herrera said in a video statement posted on Facebook.
Herrera, who recently transitioned out of Congress after completing three consecutive terms, said she has encountered mounting difficulties in referring patients to government hospitals and programs, as if public assistance was being held back simply because the 20th Congress had yet to fully settle into place. She was succeeded by BH Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal.
The 20th Congress is scheduled to resume session on July 28, coinciding with the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Napakahirap mag-refer ngayon. Kahit sino pong pasyente ang maglakad, basta ni-refer, tulungan po natin. Hindi po ito para sa amin, ito po ay para sa mga pasyente,” Herrera said, addressing DOH.
She continued, “Mali naman po yata na sasabihin ng DOH, ‘Hintayin natin ang 20th Congress.’ Kailan pa naging kondisyon ‘yon para sa tulong?”
Herrera also took issue with reports of families struggling to obtain death certificates, calling the delay “inhumane and unacceptable.”
She said that government agencies must remember that their mandate is to serve people, not personalities.
“Kahit hindi nila malaman na kami ang tumulong, okay lang. Ang mahalaga, matulungan ang pasyente. Sana po maging makatao tayo. Tao po ang tinutulungan dito, hindi pulitiko,” she pointed out.
In stark contrast, Herrera praised the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Secretary Rex Gatchalian for their swift and compassionate action when it comes to patient referrals.
“Sa DSWD, ang bilis ng aksyon. Sana po DOH, ganoon din kayo. Alam kong may transition din kayo, pero sana po bilisan natin. Marami na po ang nagkakasakit,” she said.
