REELECTIONIST senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Tuesday, February 12, said his campaign to restore the Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program or HFEP will pave the way for a P155-million budget for the improvement of various government-run hospitals in Pampanga.
Ejercito said that HFEP will enable the completion of vital health infrastructure and equipment as the country is set to implement this year the Universal Health Care Program. He added that it is expected that more people will come into government hospitals for medical services.
Ejercito was in Pampanga for the opening salvo of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago for its senatorial line up.
He said the Malabacat District Hospital was allocated some P20 million for infrastructure development. The Escolastica Romero in Lubao town will get P20 million for infrastructure development and another P10 million for equipment.
The Diosdado Macapagal Provincial Hospital was also allocated some P20 million for medical equipment with Jose Siongco District Hospital in Porac town to receive P10 million for infrastructure expansion.
Some P10 million was also allocated to Mexico Community Hospital and another P10 million for Candaba.
The Ospital ning Angeles has the biggest allocation with P20 million in infrastructure development and another P30 million for equipment.
“The HFEP has brought about a considerable improvement in our government hospitals,” Ejercito said.
The HFEP has been the source of funding for much of the improvements given to government hospitals since 2007 to the present.
Earlier, Ejercito confirmed that P24.5 billion had been restored to the Health department, saying P16.4 billion would be used to fund the equipment and accreditation of various health facilities under the DOH’s HFEP.
Ejercito is the chair of the Senate committee on health and demography.
Support of Aetas
Meanwhile, Aeta tribal groups in Central Luzon endorsed the reelection bid of Ejercito who is fondly called "Mr. Healthcare."
The Aetas, led by the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (Bata) and Philippine Katutubo Association together with different Aeta associations in Central Luzon, signed a manifesto expressing gratitude and unity behind Ejercito for his Universal Health Care (UHC) measure.
"We are very happy about the UHC as it gives us hope for our healthcare," the manifesto said.
Virgilio Sanchez, Bata president, said they would definitely support Ejercito's reelection bid.
"We will definitely campaign for Senator Ejercito because he gave us importance and the opportunity to be included in the UHC,” he said.
Under the UHC authored and sponsored Ejercito in the Senate, all Filipinos, including the Aetas, are automatic members of the National Insurance Program and entitles them to affordable quality health services including check-ups and various laboratory test or procedures. (With PR)