‘Alyansa’ bets urge stronger LGU support for healthcare
TACLOBAN CITY — Senatorial candidates from the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday called for stronger national government support for local health facilities, warning that many local government units (LGUs) lack the resources to sustain super health centers.
Super health centers are designed to provide primary healthcare services, including consultations, laboratory tests, and minor medical procedures, serving as an alternative to overcrowded hospitals. However, many LGUs struggle to sustain these facilities due to financial constraints and a lack of medical personnel.
With only 20 LGUs in Leyte applying for funding and just nine centers operational, the candidates urged the Department of Health (DOH) to overhaul its approach.
In a press conference, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay lamented that LGUs are being forced to take on healthcare responsibilities they cannot afford.
“Ang reason po kung bakit ‘yung mga LGUs ayaw ng super health center dahil ang gagawin po, tatayuan ng health center, ikaw na maghahanap ng doctor, ikaw maghahanap ng nurse, ikaw magme-maintain ng facility. Chances are ‘yung munisipyo na ‘yun or ‘yung LGU na ‘yun ay walang kapasidad,” Binay pointed out.
The long-time mayor of one of the country’s richest cities said the DOH should not leave LGUs to fend for themselves.
“We have to stop this attitude of simply dumping projects on LGUs and telling them ‘bahala ka na sa buhay mo.’ Hindi pwedeng magtatayo lang ng infrastructure nang walang sapat na suporta para sa operasyon,” she said.
Binay proposed clustering municipalities to share a super health center, making them more viable.
ACT-CIS Representative and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said many district hospitals are not maximized due to a lack of funding, staffing and medicine, warning that this discourages LGUs from investing in healthcare.
“May mga district hospital na nakatiwangwang lang—walang gamit, walang doktor, walang gamot, kahit simpleng pang-ubo o sipon. Paano mahihikayat ang LGUs kung ganito ang sitwasyon?” he said.
Tulfo insisted that the DOH must directly manage super health centers, from staffing to medical supplies.
“Dapat DOH mismo ang magpatakbo ng health centers—kasama ang doktor, gamot, lahat. Kung hindi, wala ring kwenta ang pagtatayo ng bagong pasilidad,” he added.
For his part, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson warned that the Universal Health Care Act is failing due to underfunding and poor execution.
“Naipasa na natin ang Universal Healthcare Act, pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa ito ganap na naipatupad. Hindi pwedeng pilot project lang—dapat buong bansa ang makinabang,” he said.
Lacson stressed that the budget must match the law’s promise of ensuring all Filipinos have access to quality and affordable healthcare.
“Budget ang lifeline ng ating healthcare system. Walang silbi ang batas kung hindi ito fully funded,” he added.
Alyansa candidates vowed to push for a fully funded, fully functional healthcare system, ensuring LGUs are not left struggling to provide essential medical services.
The Alyansa ticket is also composed of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; reelectionist Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos and Francis “Tol” Tolentino; former Senator Manny Pacquiao; former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
