US SOLONS MEET PHILIPPINE LEGISLATORS. Cong. Edgar Chatto (extreme right) poses with Sen. Loren Legarda (extreme left), Aklan Cong. Ted Haresco (2nd from left), and US Senator Edward John Markey (2nd from right). The congressman from Bohol attended on Aug. 18, 2022, a meeting with high-level US congressional delegation headed by Sen. Markey. The US senator led a four-man congressional delegation that met some Filipino legislators headed by House speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Pro Tempore Legarda. The meeting focused on US-Philippines bilateral agreements in various areas of interest such as foreign relations, environment and climate change, trade and commerce and energy among others. Contributed phot
First District Cong. Edgar Chatto, during the first round of pre-budget hearing sessions in the House of Representatives on Aug. 15, 2022, batted for national programs to reach Bohol especially in the areas of labor and employment, health and agriculture.
Chatto raised concerns with Department of Health (DOH) OIC Maria Rosario Vergerie especially on the operational and personnel budget for the Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex in Cortes in accordance with Republic Act 11883.
He focused on the impact of the DOH’s budget in the implementation of the Mandanas Supreme Court ruling among the local government units (LGU).
Another important concern that Chatto stressed is for DOH’s support to LGU health systems in order to achieve the goals of the Universal Health Care Law and likewise spur the establishment of Super Health Centers in key areas and health zones.
Moreover, Chatto urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) to work for the operationalization of the Konsulta package and to facilitate swift payment of claims.
Likewise, Chatto discussed the delays in the release of hazard pay and special risk allowance for healthcare workers.
Chatto also mentioned the tie-up of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi Specialty Medical Complex as the training hospital of the future Bohol Island State University (BISU) College of Medicine.
The solon and the DOH also discussed the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients Program (MAIP) utilization.
Continuous deployment of doctors, nurses and health personnel in underserved areas was also included in the discussions, the report mentions.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
Chatto also met with Labor Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma, Sec. Gen. Regi Velasco and Majority Floor Leader Mannix Dalipe in the pre-budget sessions to discuss labor and employment issues.
Chatto pushed for the establishment of more Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training centers, the improvement of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bohol office, including the provision of support services for mobility requirements as well as the consideration of the proposal to make DOLE Bohol an independent and separate office from Cebu to enhance accessibility of DOLE and TESDA programs to Boholanos.
The first district solon also expressed support for more allocation to programs that provide livelihood opportunities such as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/DisplacednWorkers (TUPAD), Government Internship Program (GIP), and Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).
AGRICULTURE
Meanwhile, Chatto had an opportunity to discuss agriculture issues in the pre-budget hearings centering on policies and guidelines for fund allocation to build more farm-to-market roads, acquire more farm mechanization, farm support and post-harvest facilities for corn and rice substitutes.
He also raised the possibility of allocating funds for National Food Authority’s Palay Buy Back program as well as the implementation of programs to address the price of fertilizers and production inputs that largely contribute to increased prices in agricultural commodities.
Morwover, Chatto pushed for additional Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) hatcheries for bangus and tilapia to address high fish prices especially here in Bohol.
He asked about the delayed implementation of the Coconut Hub Project under the Philippine Coconut Authority.
As chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change, Chatto also requested for an update from the Department of Agriculture, regarding its commitments to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Likewise, Chatto joined the Committee on Appropriations meeting with Senior Deputy Speaker and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Committee chair Cong. Elizalde Co as schedules for the 2023 national budget hearings were already set, according to reports.