Public hearing for diabetes care section proposal set

CEBU, Philippines - The committee on laws of the Cebu City Council has stressed that the proposed ordinance to establish a “Diabetes Care Section” in all Barangay Health centers in the city is within the power of the council to enact.

However, the committee has recommended to conduct a public hearing on September 24, 2014 to hear the various sentiments for or against the proposed city ordinance.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman on committee on laws, said that all concerned parties, like the city health center, the proponent, among others should be invited during the hearing.

“Section 458 of the Local Government Code, the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall “approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services…for the care of the sick,” the committee report reads.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla proposed the ordinance that would monitor and reduce cases of diabetes in the city.

Arcilla stipulated in his proposed ordinance that the rate of diabetes cases is increasing which has affected 9.7 percent of the adult population in 2012 and by 2030 the diabetic Filipinos are pegged to reach 6.16 million.

“The City of Cebu, being the most populous and growing metropolis outside Metro Manila is a naturally high risk City with regards to diabetes considering the diet and lifestyle associated in big and highly urbanized cities like Cebu,” he said.

“The city’s primary resource is its populace which accounts for a big percentage in the country’s pool of professionals, technocrats and entrepreneurs and that the city should take well care of it,” he added.

Diabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by elevated glucose or blood sugar levels, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.

“The Diabetes Care Section shall be provided with equipment, tools, implements, devices, apparatus and personnel as may be necessary for them to carry out programs such as, but not limited to, diabetes diagnostic and prevention,” Arcilla said, adding that the diabetes care section will be a new section of existing Barangay Health Centers in the city.

Should the proposed ordinance be approved, the City Health Department will set guidelines, rules and regulations.  (FREEMAN)