VM Bebot Rodriguez lobbies ordinances anew for improved health care

VICE Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, having been in the frontline of public health care service herself, lobbied again to the health committee of Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane the ordinances she principally authored which seek to provide free annual comprehensive check-ups to residents and institutionalize new born screening and barangay mental well-being corners in the city.

During the sixth deliberation of the proposed barangay mental well-being corners ordinance, VM Bebot clarified that the proposed minimum honorarium of ₱1,000 for assigned personnel would depend on the barangay's budget allocation.

Councilor Gaane pointed out that while a similar program exists, personnel are discouraged from participating due to the lack of financial incentives.

VM Bebot also committed to allocating funds from her office for the necessary training and seminars for personnel assigned to the mental health desks in response to Councilor Malvern Esparcia’s remarks about ensuring the qualifications of the designated staff.

Meanwhile, VM Bebot emphasized the need to secure the budget and streamline processes for health centers to implement the newborn screening (NBS) program effectively.

City Health Officer Dr. Rachel Dilla expressed support for the initiative but raised concerns about funding, particularly for the procurement of newborn screening kits.

In response, VM Bebot urged the City Budget and Finance Offices to increase the budget for the City Health Office to prioritize NBS, stressing the time-sensitive nature of the procedure.

Deliberations on this ordinance will continue as the committee continues to gather comments and recommendations from other concerned departments and stakeholders.