The House Committee on Health led by its chairperson Cong. Angelina Tan approved on Monday, May 31, 2021, House Bill 9472 principally authored by First District Cong. Edgar M. Chatto, which converts the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) into a multi-specialty health complex, according to a report coming from the office of the first district congressman.
The development was bared by Chatto himself who explained the proposed legislation to the health committee and expert resource persons from the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant agencies.
GCGMH medical center chief Dr. Mutya Macuno was also present during the Zoom meeting of the House health panel. She was among the key persons of the resource panel.
Chatto’s bill is entitled: An Act Converting the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) to Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Multi-Specialty Medical Complex (GCGMMC) RA 11324 and appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes, was unanimously approved by all members of the said committee.
The Committee on Health members also manifested co-authorship of what they described as a “trailblazing measure” which other provinces can use as template in the modernization of their own health facility, according to House Committee on Health Secretary Erwin Lara.
Palawan Cong. Gil Acosta manifested interest of their province to use the Chatto Bill as their model.
Once passed into law, the GCGMMC will enhance the capacity of Bohol’s health system as end referral facility of all hospitals in the province.
The legislation provides for a 2-campus complex – an Ambulatory Care Center in Tagbilaran and the Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes.
Both facilities will be supervised by only one chief of hospital with 2 medical directors – one for Tagbilaran and another for Cortes.
The bill also assures enhanced hospital staff through the creation of new positions to complement with the expanded multi-specialty health services subject to DOH and Civil Service Commission (CSC) regulations.
The Health Secretary shall be given the authority to determine the increase in bed capacity of GCGMMC as the need arises, according to Chatto.
The hospital shall have branches in such locations as GCGMMC may identify in accordance with DOH programs and rules.
The approval of the said House Bill in the Health Committee was through a motion by Bohol Third District Cong. Alexie Tutor.