Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III has thrown his support behind 13 House and Senate bills seeking to establish, upgrade and renationalize provincial hospitals, saying the measures could help address the shortage of hospital beds across the country.
During a committee hearing, Sotto asked to be made a co-sponsor of all the proposed measures.
“What I would want to do this morning is to endorse all these local bills, and if I may, be made a co-sponsor,” Sotto said.
Lawmakers are currently deliberating on six bills seeking to establish new hospitals in Zambales, Davao de Oro, Zamboanga Sibugay, Capiz and Bukidnon.
Another seven measures seek to upgrade and renationalize existing hospitals in Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Capiz and Romblon by placing them under the supervision of the Department of Health.
Sotto said he also wanted to know whether hospital bed capacity is keeping up with the growing number of patients, expressing hope that the proposed measures would help narrow the gap.
Health Committee chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed Sotto’s support.
“Thank you very much, SP Pro Temp. Wala nang mas masaya pa kung hindi co-sponsor kayo sa mga bills ng Committee on Health and Demography,” Hontiveros said.IMT
