The Department of Health (DOH) is ready to provide assistance to the residents affected by the impending closure of the health centers in the 10 EMBO barangay in Taguig City, its Secretary Teddy Herbosa said on Friday, January 5.
Interviewed during DZRH Dos Por Dos, Herbosa said the DOH would shoulder the expenses of affected indigent patients to not impede the health services they are receiving.
“Sinasabi ng Makati na kailangan yung ibang magpapagamot [na residente] ay tutustusan ng iba. Diyan tutulong ang national government, ang DOH, tutulungan natin basta mahirap, kasama sila sa indigent patients, pwede natin sagutin ang kanilang pagpapa-ospital [...] Handa ang DOH na pumuno sa mga kakulangan ng serbisyo,” he said.
“Tutulong din tayo sa City of Taguig para kung kulang sila ng tao at gamot, magbibigay din tayo ng tulong,” the DOH Secretary added.
Dr. Ted Herbosa, Secretary, DOH, sa mga health center na nagsara sa EMBO area: Walong Brgy. health centers ang nagsara sa EMBO areas. #DosPorDos#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 4, 2024
LIVE: https://t.co/3lezvwHfuS pic.twitter.com/tc8jOUvTG7
Herbosa pointed out that the health department cannot assume control over the disputed health centers, adding that he could not order the transfer of the health centers built and owned by Makati to the Taguig local government unit.
“Gustuhin ko mang i-take over at patakbuhin, pero may mga legal na isyu na pinagbabawalan ako. Hindi pwede kasi wala namang state of emergency at hindi ko property iyan. Hindi rin pwede i-turn over iyan sa Taguig kasi hindi rin akin iyan,” the health secretary explained.
He said he already sought the legal opinion of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla.
“Sumulat ako kay Sec. Remulla para tulungan kami, Department of Health, kung ano ang dapat gawin, sino ba talaga ang may-ari nyan [health centers], at pwede bang ituloy ang serbisyo diyan?” Herbosa said.
The DOH Chief said a memorandum of agreement is being crafted to reach consensus that the Makati and Taguig LGU will continue the provision of health services to the affected residents.
On Monday, January 1, the Makati LGU announced that health centers lying in the 10 Embo barangay would be forced to shut down as their license to operate expired.
It also declared the non-validity of the yellow and blue cards owned by EMBO residents.
