SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday vowed to allocate funds for specialty centers that would be established in regional hospitals to bring medical services closer to the people, especially the poor.
He made the commitment days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act.
The Speaker expressed doubt on whether the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 includes funds for the centers, since the outlay was prepared months before the President signed the law.
“In any case, we in the House will ensure that the necessary initial appropriations are allocated for the implementation of the law and the setting up, equipping and staffing of the special medical care units in regional hospitals,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 311-strong House of Representatives, said.
Speaker Romualdez said he would ask the committee on appropriations to see to it that such funds are incorporated in the proposed 2024 national budget.
The committee is now in the process of scrutinizing the budget proposal.
Speaker Romualdez lauded President Marcos for signing the Congress-approved bill on the establishment of regional specialty medical centers.
“Once these special care facilities are established, people in the provinces, in rural areas, no longer need to travel to Metro Manila to receive specialized treatment and care. They will be spending less for transportation and other related costs. We are bringing the centers closer to our people,” he said.
At present, he said specialty hospitals – Heart Center, Kidney Center, Lung Center, Children’s Medical Center, and Orthopedic Hospital – are all located in Metro Manila.
He said the specialized regional units would have the necessary equipment and staff to care for the sick coming from remote communities.
“We will also allocate medical assistance funds for them,” he added.
