Buena Mano ni BM: let’s start the year right!

Committee on Health Chair, BM Olive Pascual presides over the committee hearing on January 10, 2011 at the SP session hall. The Committee Hearing was called upon to deliberate on her two resolutions this new year.

by Michael D. Masirag

Everyone wishes for good health and prosperity this New Year and the best way to start it right is thru a worry-free, healthy atmosphere. BM Pascual just did it.

BM Pascual called for a committee hearing on January 10, 20112 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall to deliberate on her two ordinances.

As Committee Chair on Health, Sanitation, Technology, and Population, BM Olive’s Buena Mano this year is an ordinance creating the “Cagayan Ambulatory Surgical Clinic Dialysis and Diagnostic Center” (CASCDDC), which aims to appropriate funds to establish a clinic and a center where Cagayanos can avail of affordable medical tests using advanced medical equipment.

Most people avail of medical treatment when their conditions are at its worst. One of the holdbacks in consulting specialists is the high cost of using medical detection facilities, essential to diagnosis and, eventually, treatment. CASCDDC will put these pieces of medical equipment within the reach of ordinary Cagayanos as envisioned by the Committee on Health chaired by the Hon. BM Maria Olivia B. Pascual.

Another equally important ordinance is the institutionalization of the “Cagayan Consignment System” to promote equity in health by ensuring the availability and accessibility of affordable and essential drugs. It is an innovative program of the Province to raise revenue while at the same time enhancing public services in general by: improving and expanding medical services on hospitals; increasing hospital operational income; and having year-round availability of affordable medicines and supplies for hospitals. In addition, it limits the financial exposure of the province to improve its fiscal health.

Significant modifications in the two ordinances have been made in the committee hearing and modifications for improvement are yet to be expected in the plenary and shall be discussed in depth once approved by the SP.

Also present in the said committee hearing were Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Marcos Mallillin, Assistant Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Carlos Cortina, Economic Enterprise Officer, Atty, Joseph Pauig, Chair, Bids and Awards Committee, Ms. Edna Junio, Provincial Accountant, Ms. Jeanna Garma and a representative from the Provincial Legal Office, Mr. Roland Tumaliuan. (edit of Mam O)