MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano on Monday, September 9, said his decision to suspend the operations of MisOr Cares has not changed despite protests and calls from residents to take it back.

Emano in an interview said, instead of waiting for it to return, the governor challenged local government units to step up in delivering affordable and quality health care service to its constituents.

“Sa atong mga mayors ba kay ang akong pondo ug ilang pondo pareha raman,” Emano said.

Emano said the municipalities’ total Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) is even higher than the province’s total revenue.

“As of now, wala pay plano nga ibalik (there is no plan to return it yet),” Emano said.

Some female residents in Misamis Oriental stormed the capitol last week to ask the governor to restore its flagship health program.

In July this year, Emano announced the suspension of MisOr Cares as the government prepares to implement the Universal Health Care program.

The suspension, he said, is “to ensure that the National Government’s health care program will not be duplicated in the province”.

Misamis Oriental is one of the provinces in the country which will pilot the new health care program in the country.