Garcia lays down priority programs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia will put health services, jail facility and the recovery of the province’s disposed of properties among her priorities for next year’s annual budget.

“Atong gusto nga kwarta kung gastuon man na nato, kana gyung pinakadaghan ang makabenepisyo whether it be in infrastructure or it be in our different programs for different,” she said.

Among these is the implementation of the universal health care system in the twelve district hospitals and four provincial hospitals in Cebu.

Republic Act No 11223 or the Universal Health Care law has been slowly adopted by local government units in the country since its approval this year.

This is an effort by the government to make healthcare services more accessible to the vulnerable sectors of society that could not afford medical treatment because of perennial economic limitations.

“Once fully implemented, ang atong hospital services especially for in-patients libre na na,” Garcia said.

She added that more than the financial and infrastructural aspect of UHC, she will also zoom in to the need of providing quality service to those who would like to avail of this service.

“One of our biggest headaches ang hospital. Ngano labad akong ulo ana? Dili sa infra. Mga gahi kaayog ulo nga mga doctors and mga nurses ug hospital personnel,” she said.

During the interview, Garcia cited an incident that transpired at the Danao Provincial Hospital where a doctor sternly reprimanded a patient from the neighboring municipality of Carmen for getting an x-ray for her son.

The doctor reportedly told the woman off for “wasting film” when it was an unnecessary requirement.

Garcia said she found out about the incident via Facebook post by the mother calling her out on the unpleasant experience in the provincial hospital.

The incident, according to the governor, only made her adamant to look into the problem of poor personnel-patient relations.

“Mao na akong una, usbon ang mindset ug culture sa atoang hospital personnel,” she said.

She also called out to the public to report any situation similar to what happened in DPH.

“Kung moreklamo mo nako, tagai kog specifics: kinsa ni nga doktor, kanus-a ni nahitabo, unsa iyang gisulti, unsay sakit. All of these specifics ba,” Garcia said.

She also added that she wants to look into the decongestion of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

Currently, the jail facility holds a total of 2,354 inmates. This is despite the center’s holding capacity of only 1,600 inmates.

“Third, recovery of properties previously disposed of,” Garcia added.

The Province of Cebu is still continuing its inventory of sold, awarded and leased provincial property. (FREEMAN)