BTA lawmakers seek to establish, upgrade hospitals in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi

COTABATO CITY ― Bangsamoro lawmakers are pushing for the upgrading and constructions of hospitals in the provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi in an effort to meet the growing health and social services needs of the residents.

The Parliament Bills No. 99 and 100 were refiled by MPs Eddie Alih, Mohagher Iqbal, Pangalian Balindong, Abdulraof Macacua, Amilbahar Mawallil, Eduard Guerra, Ubaida Pacasem, Ali Solaiman, Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Raissa Jajurie, Aida Silongan, Anna Tarhata Basman, Lanang Ali Jr., Suharto Ambolodto, Jose Lorena, Nabil Tan, Paisalin Tago, Haron Abas, Mohammad Yacob, Ibrahim Ali, Abdullah Hashim, Marjanie Macasalong, Susana Anayatin, Mudjib Abu, Abdullah Gayak, Ali Salik, Said Shiek, Said Salendab, Akmad Abas, Basit Abbas, Suwaib Oranon, Abdulwahab Pak, Benjamin Loong, John Anthony Lim, Hussein Munoz, and Abdullah Macapaar.

According to the proposals, the South Ubian Municipal Hospital, a level 1 general hospital with 50 beds, will be constructed in South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, under Parliament Bill No. 99. It will be directly supervised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) which will also determine and approve its organizational structure and plantilla positions.

Another measure is also pushing for the upgrade of a municipal hospital in Tawi-Tawi. The Datu Alawaddin T. Bandon Sr. Municipal Hospital, which currently has 10 beds, will be upgraded into a level II general hospital with 50 beds. Once approved, the hospital, originally located in Sitangkai, will be established in Sibutu.

Other legislators also introduced bills for the establishment of general hospitals in Basilan. Under the administrative and technical supervision of the Basilan Integrated Provincial Health Office, a level 1 general hospital with 25 beds will be established in Tabuan-Lasa, Basilan, as proposed under PB No. 103.

Another proposed measure, PB No. 104, calls for the establishment of a level 1 general hospital with 25 beds in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. MP Amilbahar Mawallil, one of the main authors of PB Nos. 103 and 104, said that the bills aim to give people access to health care services that are adequate, excellent, and effective.

Based on PB Nos. 103 and 104, the MOH will formulate the necessary guidelines and other complementary infrastructure, facilities, and medical equipment, as well as the costs for the necessary maintenance and personnel services. MPs Hatimil Hassan, Muslimin Jakilan, and Atty. Laisa Alamia are also the principal authors of the said bills. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)