Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito last week promised that Catanduanes would have a new hospital complete with modern equipment like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under the Universal Health Care Act which he principally authored during his last stint at the Senate.
In a press conference at the Capitol following a courtesy call on Governor Joseph Cua, the 52-year old former mayor and congressman of San Juan City said the new hospital on the island would be part of the new health infrastructure expected to be built under the law’s 10-year implementation period.
Included in the program is the establishment of regional specialty centers, particularly at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital in Albay where centers for cancer and diseases of the kidney, lung, liver and heart would be put up so that people needing treatment need not go to Metro Manila, Ejercito told the local media.
“My mission is to see the UHC Act implemented to the fullest,” he said, pointing out there are no issues with the law which was passed in 2019.
“It is a work in progress so we need to focus on it,” the former senator added, noting that pilot provinces have reported success in implementing the Zero Balance Billing that allows patients to leave the hospital without having to pay for anything.
The rehabilitation of health facilities would be accompanied by greater benefits and privileges for health care workers, Ejercito stressed.
He also emphasized his being the principal author of the law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, which merged six different housing agencies under one roof.
Township development should be provided with access to health care, livelihood, transport and other basic needs, he added.
The former senator likewise said he has always advocated infrastructure development, especially the expansion of the railway system, defending the Department of Transportation’s Northrail and Mindanao railway projects and the Bicol South Line which would use modern trains.
The P3 billion funding for the railways would be used to change the existing narrow-gauge rails to standard gauge, allowing the trains to run at 200 kph while carrying both cargo and passengers.
It would create new growth areas, Ejercito stated, and provide adequate livelihood opportunities for all.
For calamity-prone provinces like Catanduanes, the proposed Department of Disaster Response would provide year-round preparation and training, he bared.
Ejercito also called for authorities to punish smugglers of agricultural products for committing economic sabotage and criticized agencies for continuing to issue letters of authority to import products like sugar, onions, garlic and even galunggong to the detriment of local farmers.
No one will invest in agriculture if smuggling continues, he said.
On the results of the latest survey showing him at No. 12, the former senator said that he does not have enough funds and is campaigning alone although he is running under the NPC banner.
“Mabigat ang laban ngayon,” he remarked, citing the fact that his half-brother, Jinggoy, is also running for a Senate seat.
Ejercito, however, remains optimistic on his chances with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte endorsing him along with other major parties.