TACLOBAN CITY – Health or basketball court?
This was part of the challenged issued by Health Undersecretary Vicente Belizario to local chief executives in giving priority on health services to their respective constituents.
Belizario, who was in Tacloban on Tuesday on the launching of the High Impact Five Summit program of the Department of Health, expressed his lament that there are indeed local government units that appear to not prioritized the delivery of health services to their people.
Thus, he issued a challenge to local officials to put premium on the health sector.
“Of course, we would like to see local government units (LGUs) investing health support programs. Among the many investments, health is very important. Between human lives versus basketball courts, which one will you choose?” Belizario said, addressing to the local officials.
“Investing in health is a premium. The Department of Health provides a major support for health programs,” he said, referring not only to the technical but financial supports to LGUs,” he added.
According to Belizario, the DOH is providing the needed support to LGUs, particularly those in the fourth to sixth class levels.
Belizario said that putting the health sector as a priority will mean saving human lives.
He described the health sector as a “primordial concern” of the DOH.
Meantime, Mayor Carmen Cari of Baybay City, who was present during the launching of the program, said that she is providing much needed budget on the health sector.
She, however, could not recall as to how much was allocated for health under its current budget.
“But it’s substantial enough (to help the health needs of my people),” Cari said.
Cari is the aunt of Health Secretary Janette Garin.
