Solons back proposed establishment of Medical Reserve Corps

Lawmakers threw their support on Wednesday behind the proposed establishment of the Medical Reserve Corps to augment the country’s human health resources in times of disasters and health emergencies.

Negros Oriental 2nd district Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria, Siquijor lone district Rep. Jake Vincent Villa, and Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez rallied behind the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 7007, the proposed “Medical Reserve Corps Act of 2020,” principally authored by Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte.

“I will support the measure. This is timely,” Sagarbarria said in a text message.

He said HB 7007 should be supported even as he agreed with Villafuerte’s observation that the country’s lack of medical personnel is “a key weakness” in the government’s battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

Villa also expressed support for Villafuerte’s bill, recognizing that such a medical reserve force will help ease the burden in the country’s healthcare system, especially in times of health emergencies.

Rodriguez threw his “full support” to HB 7007, saying that the measure “is very timely,” considering the country’s ongoing battle against the coronavirus disease.

“The Medical Reserve Corps will enlist civic minded medical practitioners in the entire country. We certainly have a large pool of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals in all provinces and cities in our country. They can be called upon to serve in times of public health emergency, such as this COVID19 and future epidemics,” he said in a Viber message.

“Once they are called to serve, they should be properly remunerated similar to rates of our regular DOH (Department of Health) personnel with hazard pay and additional risk allowance. This bill is very timely considering our ongoing battle against COVID-19,” Rodriguez said.

Former House Speaker and Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said HB 7007 should be consolidated with the bill seeking to make the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program mandatory in all public and private educational institutions.

Last February 12, the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education jointly formed a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate 32 mandatory ROTC measures.

House Bill No. 7007 proposes to establish a Medical Reserve Corps which shall be composed of all persons who have degrees in the field of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other health-related fields, but have yet to have their respective licenses to practice.

Villafuerte said under his bill, in times of national emergencies and other contingencies, the members of the Medical Reserve Corps may be called upon and mobilized to assist the national government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and the local government in their functions related to addressing the medical needs of the public.

“This measure allows our hospitals and medical facilities to handle the extreme demand for patient care in times of disaster and health emergencies,” he said.