Go welcomes signing of new health laws

SEN. Bong Go said the signing of four new health laws would provide accessible and quality health care for Filipinos in remote and underdeveloped areas. "Poverty should not be a barrier to obtaining good health services. These new laws would ensure that more Filipinos would receive government assistance in times of need," said Go, principal sponsor of the measures and chairman of the Senate Health Committee. "Our goal is to bring medical services to every corner of the country. Accessible hospitals with better facilities mean more lives would be saved," Go added. Republic Act 12068 mandated the upgrade of Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga, Bataan, into a multi-specialty hospital, increasing its bed capacity from 500 to 1,000. Republic Act 12069 mandates the conversion of the Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital in Jordan, Guimaras, into a Level 2 hospital, renamed Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Medical Center. Republic Act 12070 mandated the construction of a general hospital in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, to be known as Victorias City General Hospital. Republic Act 12071 mandated the building of a Level 3 general hospital in Bay, Laguna, to be known as Laguna Regional Hospital. The senator said the new laws align with the goals of the Universal Health Care Act.