FIRST DISTRICT, Pampanga – In a roundtable discussion with doctors from the First District on September 25, Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. assured that more Rural Health Units (RHUs) will be built in Mabalacat City and Magalang Municipality during his term.
“Ginawa ko po yan nung Mayor ako ng Angeles, at gagawin din po natin ito para sa Mabalacat at Magalang ngayong Congressman na tayo ng Primero Distrito,” Lazatin said.
“Paraan din po natin ito para makatulong kay Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice Governor Delta Pineda, Mayor Geld Aquino ng Mabalacat, at Mayor Malu Lacson ng Magalang,” he added.
According to Lazatin, preparation for the construction of RHUs may commence as soon as the local governments of Mabalacat and Magalang are able to identify a suitable location.
“We will sit down with Mayors Aquino and Lacson since the additional RHUs will also require additional plantilla for doctors, nurses, dentists, health aides, and admin aides, as well as additional MOOE that will be funded by the LGUs,” Lazatin said.
“Kailangan kasama natin ang mga Mayors sa pag-paplano ng proyektong ito,” he added.
Lazatin previously announced on August 20 that he is set to request P40 million pesos to fund the rehabilitation of Rural Health Units (RHUs) in Mabalacat City and Magalang Municipality in 2026.
Under the project, four RHUs in Mabalacat City and two in Magalang Municipality will undergo repair and improvement, in accordance with the standards of the Department of Health (DOH).
Based on the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040, the target ratio is to have one RHU or Health Center for every 20,000 people.
During his time as Angeles City Mayor, Lazatin led the rehabilitation and construction of health centers and sub-health centers in various barangays in the City. By the time Lazatin stepped down as City Mayor, there are 15 health centers in Angeles City, a ratio of one health center for every 30,000 people.
Present during the discussion are Chief Political Affairs Officer Reina Manuel, Dr. Inee P. David of the Department of Health Region 3; Angeles City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra, and RHU physicians Dr. Anna Marie Tecson, Dr. Alyssa Ana Yap, Dr. Bai Lawan Lato, and Dr. Gabriel Nicolo Castro; Mabalacat City Health Office doctors, Dr. Ann Mary Tolentino, Dr. Rodel C. Tan, Dr. Rosemary Anne Manalo-Liong, and Dr. Earl Kim P. De Leon; and Magalang Health Office doctors, Dr. Inold Cruz and Dr. Eduardo Torno. #
