President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared June 24 to July 3 a period of national mourning for former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Under Proclamation No. 1169, which he signed on Thursday (June 24), the national flag shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset over all government buildings or installations in the Philippines and abroad.
In his speech, President Duterte pointed out that the event is also a reminder of mortality.
“Sometimes we just take [life for granted], but in times like these, lalo na na kilalang presidente, we always put on notice of our mortality in this world that also we cannot last forever,” he said.
Also on June 24, the President enacted the ceremonial signing of 16 laws. Among the signed laws are:
- Republic Act (RA) No. 11559 increasing the bed capacity of Naguilian District Hospital in La Union from 25 beds to 50 beds;
- HB No. 6727 in consideration with SB No. 1383, increasing the bed capacity of Sinait District Hospital from 25 to 100 beds;
- RA No. 11564 establishing a general hospital in the City of Bacolod, to be known as Bacolod City General Hospital;
- RA No. 11563 increasing the bed capacity of Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center from 500 to 1,000 beds; and
- RA No. 11565 converting Medina Extension Hospital to a general hospital.
Duterte explained 13 of the newly signed laws are health-related and are all “very crucial in strengthening healthcare capacity amid the country’s fight versus the pandemic.”
“I am therefore directing all our government agencies to continue to work together in implementing the newly-enacted and existing healthcare laws,” he ordered.
The Chief Executive thanked Congress for fulfilling the goals of his administration. He also hoped that the lawmakers will soon pass other priority legislation before the end of his term.
“These priority measures include the Package 3 and 4 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investments Act, and the Public Service Act, among others,” he said.
Report from Mela Lesmoras/NGS- jlo
