Manila Bulletin

DU30 signs Universal Health Care Act; Bangsamoro begins

- By FRED M. LOBO

PRESIDENT

Duterte has signed the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act to help improve the lives of Filipinos. Yes to better health care for the people! Yes to “Lusog-Pinoy!”

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The government said Universal Health Care Law will cover free consultati­on, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic services beneficial to Filipinos, especially the poor.

“This law will surely make a positive impact in the lives of our people,” Duterte said at its ceremonial signing in Malacañang.

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The President hailed the UHC Act for automatica­lly enrolling all Filipinos with PhilHealth.

“By automatica­lly [enrolling] our citizens into the National Health Insurance Program and expanding PhilHealth coverage to include free medical consultati­ons and laboratory tests, the Universal Healthcare Law will guarantee equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all Filipinos,” Duterte said.

Malacanang explained that under the automatic enrollment program, PhilHealth will serve as the national purchaser for health goods and services, alongside with the improvemen­t of health facilities, especially in underserve­d areas.

Yes to improved facilities and better delivery of health services..

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The Palace added that the law operationa­lizes primary health care and mainstream­s health promotion to protect people from disease.

It also empowers individual­s and communitie­s to maintain good health, and supports effective management of illness and disability.

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The Department of Health (DOH) welcomed the signing of the UHC Act, saying the new law will also shift the health system’s current treatment-oriented approach toward a more balanced approach.

Yes to greater prevention an health promotion for the benefit of Pinoys!

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Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has turned over the ARMM government to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) headed by Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) replaces ARMM under Duterte’s watch.

*** Hataman expressed confidence that the BARMM will be a good vehicle for the attainment of lasting peace and sustainabl­e developmen­t in all five provinces covered.

“Let us now unite, do away with tribalism, let the Yakans, Maguindana­ons, Maranaos, Tausug and Samah people, and the lumads unite now under this Bangsamoro government,” Hataman appealed.

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The turnover was also attended by members of the BTA whom President Duterte swore into office earlier.

Henceforth, Cotabato City will serve as the Bangsamoro regional capital.

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The government said the turnover is the result of the ratificati­on of Republic Act 11054, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), in a plebiscite held last Jan. 21.

The plebiscite covered ARMM’s component-provinces such as Maguindana­o and Lanao del Sur and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. ***

The goverment said BARMM is a product of 22 years of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) headed by Ebrahim.

Peace treaty honored as signed earlier.

Presidenti­al Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. hailed the transition rites at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City, witnessed by Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega of the Western Mindanao Command and Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

A welcome pro-peace developmen­t, he said.

*** Ebrahim vowed that he and the BARMM interim parliament will address illiteracy, poverty, and corruption in the region.

“I shall be responsibl­e for leading a morally upright government,” he assured. ***

Members of the BARMM interim parliament swore over the Qur’an to check corruption and tribalism in the region.

Yes to good governance in the Southern Philippine­s.

*** President Duterte also immediatel­y met with Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari at Malacanang to check discontent and ensure peaceful transition.

Yes to peace efforts in Mindanao! Yes to lasting peace in the entire country!

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