PBBM pushes health facility plan

By Charles Dantes and Gabriellea B. Pariño

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the adoption of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040, which will serve as the country’s overall plan for medical infrastructure and investment.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 26, the Department of Health is directed, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to facilitate the dissemination and ensure the effective implementation of the PHFDP at the local level.

The DOH was also instructed to assist and support local government units in translating the PHFDP into a longterm local health facility development

President doubts Senate WPS bill would reach UN

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday expressed doubts that a Senate resolution that aims to draw international attention to China’s aggression in the West Philippines Sea would reach the United Nations (UN).

Before leaving Kuala Lumpur at the end of his three-day state visit to Malaysia, Mr. Marcos said the UN “entertains governments; not parts of government, not the judiciary or the executive.”

“The senator (Risa Hontiveros) is free to file whatever resolution she wants, but I do not know how that would translate to any action that would reach the United Nations General Assembly,” the President told reporters before heading to Manila, where he was expected to arrive late Thursday (see related story on A1 -- Editors).

This was as Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed confidence Thursday that the UN General Assembly will pass a resolution reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), despite misgivings that such a move could weaken Manla’s position if countries close to China vote against it.

Zubiri said he was unsure if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would keep the original wording of Senate Resolution 659 authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

“That remains to be seen. We will meet with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Authority (NICA) to hear their concerns,” he said.

Zubiri said he is also confident that they can word the resolution in such a way that the concerns of all members of the Senate are addressed.

Earlier, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said filing such a resolution before the UNGA could backfire and weaken the country’s position if not enough countries vote for it.

But Zubiri said a reaffirmation of the country’s claim to the WPS before the UNGA would solidify and rally international support against China’s military and political incursions into Philippine territory.

Although the senators differ on how to go about this, the Senate leader said they are united in the desire to condemn the harassment and bullying of Filipino fishermen and the Coast Guard in the WPS.

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From A1

Cirados said.

Authorities said the passenger boat was about 45 meters from land when it was hit by strong winds, causing the passengers to panic and move to one side.

The mishap struck hours after Egay left the Philippine area of responsibility, battering the country with strong winds and heavy rainfall.

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has a poor maritime safety record, with scores dying in mishaps at sea each year, usually aboard wooden-hulled outriggers used for fishing or to move people from one small island to another. With AFP plan which will be reflected in their respective Local Investment Plans for Health and Local Development Investment Programs.

MC 26 likewise ordered the DOH to monitor the implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040 and the development of local health facilities by encouraging the LGUs to enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address the gaps in the development plan, with the assis- tance of the PPP Center.

The department was mandated to issue guidelines for the effective implementation of the health plan and submit annual reports to the Office of the Executive Secretary on the progress of the development plan.

“Moreover, the DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, shall study, formulate, and implement policies that will encourage both domestic and international enterprises from the private sector to invest in health facilities aimed at addressing gaps in the PHFDP,” MC 26 read.

The funding requirements for the implementation of PHFDP 2020-2040