By Filane Mikee Cervantes/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Senator Pia Cayetano wants to prioritize and ramp up spending on health infrastructure over the next five years to meet the increasing need for better public health services.
According to a statement on Wednesday, Cayetano filed the proposed “Priority Health Infrastructure Act”, which aims to create a comprehensive and sustainable approach to health infrastructure similar to that of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.
Under the measure, the Department of Health shall be mandated to determine the priority health infrastructure needs of government hospitals all over the country to be integrated into a five-year plan.
The measure also proposes an annual budget of PHP10 billion for the improvement of health facilities in priority areas.
“To most effectively protect and promote the health of the population, the nation’s entire governmental public health infrastructure must be revitalized and strengthened. This will require political and financial support over time,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said the bill aims to help the country meet its targets, such as the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 to accelerate human capital development through quality health care services; as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to provide essential health care for all by 2030.
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