MORE than 300 doctors from General Santos City and nearby provinces have declared their support for the formidable tandem of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr and his running-mate Inday Sara Duterte.

Marcos met with at least 20 doctors from General Santos City on Sunday who called themselves “UniteaMD”, during which they pledged their support for BBM-Sara UniTeam.

Led by their spokesperson and president of the medical society, Dr. Jun Demontaño, the group said that their ranks support the UniTeam because they believe that the tandem can strengthen and support various programs for the health sector.

“We are 380 doctors strong in my group who fully support BBM and Sara, pero 20 lang kaming nandito, naniniwala kami na matutulungan nilang dalawa ang medical society, handa kaming makipagtulungan sa kanila,” Dr. Demontaño said.

“We took the effort of printing the logo and t-shirts, tawag namin sa aming grupo ay UniteaMD. Patunay lang ito na buo ang aming suporta sa tambalan ni BBM at Sara,” he added.

Demontaño said they are convinced that the UniTeam has programs designed to improve the welfare of both health workers and the public health system.

“Alam namin na matutulungan kami ni BBM at Sara, lalo na sa pagsasaayos ng PhilHealth, hindi lang sa hospital pati sa mga doktor din, sa kanilang kakayahan at experience mapapalakas nila ang Universal Health Care,” he said.

Demontaño also said that they are ready to cooperate with Marcos and Duterte as he stressed the need to listen to their suggestions when it comes to health issues.

“Kailangan din pakinggan ang mga doktor, we can give suggestion kung paano po ma-improve ang implemetation sa Universal Health Care and other programs, we are willing to help,” he said.

For his part, Marcos who is the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer praised the sacrifices and efforts of the doctors and all health practitioners in battling the pandemic.

“May I please express the gratitude of Filipino people to all our frontliners, to our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who work so hard over the last two years to keep us healthy. I know the sacrifices that you have made, the risk you have taken and yet you continue to work and being true to your oath, especially UniteaMD,” Marcos said.

Marcos also thanked the UniteaMD for the support they’ve given to the whole UniTeam.

“Your expression of support and trust is not only for our candidates but also for the idea and concepts and the cost of unity that we all believe in because it is something that is necessary so that our country will move forward. Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong tulong, sa inyong suporta,” he said.

Marcos vowed that if ever they were elected, the doctors, nurses and other health workers will be a priority of the UniTeam.

“Ang ating mga doktor ay suportadong-suportado ng UniTeam, alam namin anong hirap, anong pagod at takot ang kinakaharap ninyo, asahan po ninyo na kung sakaling kami ay palarin, makikipagtulungan po kami, lagi po kayong nasa puso at isipan namin dahil sa sakripisyo ninyo sa bansa,” he said.