“The P25 million is just an estimate. The provincial government may spend more,” Garcia said.
He added that he and the 12 mayors of Bataan “are priortizing health that’s why we are in full force here,” referring to their attendance at the stakeholders meeting sponsored by the DOH.
Garcia said Bataan is one of the top placers in the Human Development Index (HDI) among provinces in the country. The HDI is prepared by the National Statistical Information Center (NSIC).
“Included in the HDI is health, especially on life expectancy. But I have to admit there are a lot more to be done when it comes to health service,” Garcia said.
The first-term governor said among their priorities is to purchase more hospital equipment for the BGH.
Garcia welcomed the statement of Assistant Health Secretary Gerardo Bayugo, head of the Northern and Central Luzon cluster, that the DOH is planning to secure ISO certification.
Garcia said the BGH “is also planning to be ISO certified and we hope we can cascade this to the rural health centers.”
Garcia expressed gratitude to DOH Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon for department’s “all-out support for Bataan.”
Earlier, Garcia and his father, former governor and now Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Enrique “Tet” Garcia of bataan poured in million of funds for the establishment of a new three-story building at the BGH.
