Drilon seeks conversion of state hospitals

Sen. Franklin Drilon on Tuesday sought for the conversion of national government hospitals into government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) saying it will improve the delivery of health services throughout the country.

“The restructuring of national government hospitals to corporate entities will capacitate them to engage in revenue-generating activities, and proceeds of which can be used to subsidize medical care of indigent     patients,” he said.

Drilon, in filing Senate Bill 3130 entitled “National Government Hospital Corporate Restructuring Act,” noted that “fiscal autonomy of government hospitals will lead to more efficient delivery of health services.”

Under the measure, hospital administrators will be given a free hand to manage resources, acquire, lease or sell assets, borrow funds from local or foreign creditors, and accept donations.

They will also be allowed to determine the organizational structure and staffing consistent with the pertinent provisions of GOCC Governance Act of 2011.

Drilon expressed belief that his bill, once passed, will provide modern, affordable and efficient national hospital care.

“The provision of basic health services remains one of the most essential functions of the government,” said Drilon.

At present, 26 state hospitals are being run under the administrative supervision of the Department of Health (DoH).

These include the Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Veterans Regional Hospital, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Region I Medical Center, and Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in Northern Luzon; Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center and Jose B. Lingad Memorial Medical Center in Central Luzon; and Batangas Regional Hospital in Southern Luzon.

Also included are Bicol Medical Center and Bicol Research Training and Teaching Hospital in Bicol Region and Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in National Capital Region.

In Visayas Region, the hospitals include Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Western Visayas Medical Center in Region VI and Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Region VIII.

In Mindanao, the hospitals to be converted into GOCCs include Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Region X; Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Regional Hospital in Region XI; Zamboanga City Medical Center in Region IX; Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Region XII; and CARAGA Regional Hospital in Region XIII. -RITCHIE A. HORARIO, Manila Times