Department of Health Region III Director Dr. Corazon Flores, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and the 18 local government units of the province of Tarlac signed the Inter-LGU Memorandum of Agreement for the province-wide health system integration at the Capitol Center Building Roof Deck last August 31.
The MOA signing is aimed to ensure equitable access to affordable and quality health care services and protection against financial risk and progressive realization of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act through systematic approach and clear role delineation.
The ceremonial signing, attended by Mayors Nora Modomo of Sta. Ignacia, Donya Tesoro of San Manuel, Rex Villa Agustin of Victoria, Romeo Capitulo of San Jose, Jappy de Dios of Anao, Elma Macadamia of San Clemente, Iluminado Pobre Jr. of Mayantoc, Celso Banag of Ramos, Erlon Agustin of Camiling, Roseller Rodriguez of Capas and Venus Jordan of La Paz and Vice Mayors Epoy Balmores of Pura and Ramon Benito Aquino of Moncada, Board Members Romeo Evangelista Jr., Joy Gilbert Lamorena, Danilo Asiaten, Harmes Sembrano and Christopher delos Reyes, former Governor and Tarlac second district Representative Victor Yap, Bureau of Local Health Systems Development Director Dr. Lester Tan and Provincial DoH Head Maria Noel Lim is likewise meant to motivate Local Chief Executives to come together and agree to integrate their health systems into one under the stewardship of the province for effective and efficient implementation of the UHC.
In her welcome address, Gov. Yap said that the ceremonial signing for a province-wide UHC coverage is momentous for the province of Tarlac as it will benefit more Tarlaqueños.
For his part, former Gov. and Rep. Victor Yap said that those who are financially capable and those who have less in life must be given an equal opportunity to a quality health care.
“Gaya ng ako ang gubernador noon, ang gusto ko ay ang duktor ng mayaman ay duktor din ng mahirap,” he said.
He added that, “Ang gusto ko sana mangyari sa pondo para sa kalusugan ay mismong sa tao natin binibigay hindi kung kani-kaninong nanunungkulan o ahensiya. Masyadong nahihirapan ang taong bayan pag nangangailangan ng tulong mdikal. Kailangan pa nilang lumapit kung kanino para lang maka kuha ng tulong,” the former Gov. and Rep. said.—PIO
