THE impending implementation of the just-signed universal health care law in the country will be piloted in Cagayan de Oro City.
Both Mayor Oscar Moreno and Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy announced this on Saturday (March 30) during the kick-off campaign of the local administration party PDP-Laban slate known as Team OKKA.
Uy summoned councilors to a special session last Saturday so the city government could beat the deadline set by the Department of Health (DOH) naming selected areas in the Philippines as pilots for the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11223, otherwise known as an Act Instilling Universal Health Care for All Filipinos.
Moreno said one of the requirements of DOH was a recommendation from the City Council. The deadline was Sunday (March 31).
During his visit here last week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was so impressed with Moreno’s governance especially in the health sector that he confided to the mayor himself to submit the requirements for the universal health care law piloting.
Under the new law which was signed by President Duterte only last February 20, Filipinos will now be considered to possess immediate eligibility for and have access to the full spectrum of health care which includes preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care for medical, dental, mental and emergency health services.
Uy said only councilors belonging to the majority were present in the special session last Saturday and all three opposition councilors were absent.
With all requirements passed to the DOH main office last Sunday, the city government is now waiting for an advisory on the list of pilot areas for RA 11223 implementation.
During his visit, Duque said that “we would love to work with a local chief executive like the caliber of Mayor Oscar Moreno that understands the roadmap of transformation especially transforming our health systems.”
