PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that mandates the establishment of a hospital for the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) retired and active personnel and their dependents.
Republic Act (RA) 11372, signed by Duterte on August 8, directs the construction of the PCG General Hospital in the Coast Guard Base in Taguig City, Metro Manila.
"In order to adequately respond to emergencies, disasters and emerging diseases, the State shall protect the interest and promote the well-being and the medical needs of teh Coast Guard personnel, their dependeents and retied uniformed perosnnel," the law read.
The PCG General Hospital is required to provide a comprehensive and total health care services, complement the existing package of services under the health care program, conduct medical examination of all PCG trainees, monitor the condition of patients, and generate relevant information and data in aid of policy information.
The hospital will be administered by a board of directors chaired by the PCG commandant and vice chaired by the PCG deputy commandant.
Board members include PCG Medical Service command surgeon, PCG Medical Service commander, PCG Nurse Corps commander, PCG Legal Service commander, and Coast Guard Staff for Human Resource and Management deputy chief.
The PCG General Hospital's board of directors is directed to develop a program of patient care and hospital administration; organize the hospital's structure; provide training for all hospital personnel; formulate and implement programs and measures; enter into agreements and contracts in connection with its establishment and operations; and issue rules and regulations.
The construction and operationalization of the PCG General Hospital will be included in the program of the Department of Transportation.
The funding for the hospital's establishment will be taken from the General Appropriations Act.
RA 11372, which was made public by Palace on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)