IPINALABAS ngayon ng Palasyo ng Malakanyang ang Memorandum Circular No. 26, nagpapatibay sa Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040, binigyang direktiba at hinikayat ang lahat ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan at Local Government Units (LGUs)  na suportahan ang  inisyatiba sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng health facilities para sa kanilang nasasakupan.

“The PHFDP 2020-2040, which is annexed to this Circular, is hereby adopted,”  ayon sa circular, ipinalabas ni  Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin na may awtorisasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“In accordance with their respective mandates, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all LGUs are hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of the PHFDP, and the plans and programs specified therein.” ang nakasaad pa rin sa MC.

Nakapaloob din sa circular na inaatasan nito ang  Department of Health (DOH), sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), na pagaanin at bilisan at tiyakin ang epektibong implementasyon ng PHFDP sa  local level.

Inatasan din ang DOH na tulungan at suportahan ang  LGUs sa pagsasalin ng plano sa long-term local health facility development plan, at makipag-ugnayan sa  LGUs sa pagbalangkas sa polisiya para sa pagtatatag ng  primary care provider networks  at health care providers networks.

Imo-monitor din ng departamento ang implementasyon ng development plan ng  local health facilities at hikayatin ang  LGUs na pumasok sa  public-private partnerships (PPPs) para tugunan ang puwang sa PHFDP sa tulong ng  PPP Center.

Sa kabilang dako,  magpapalabas naman ang DoH ng guidelines o alituntunin para sa epektibong implementasyon  ng  circular at maaaring mag- request ng tulong mula sa ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan at tanggapan sa  pagbabalangkas ng alituntunin.

“Moreover, the DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, shall study, formulate, and implement policies that will encourage both domestic and international enterprises from the private sector to invest in health facilities aimed at addressing gaps in the PHFDP,” ang nakasaad pa rin sa circular.

Ang  implementasyon ng  circular ay popondohan ng “existing appropriations” ng  kani-kanilang ahensiya at LGUs.

Nilikha ng DOH  ang PHFDP  para magsilbi bilang  overall strategy ng bansa para sa infrastructure at medical investment  at sa huli ay tiyakin ang matibay na primary care at integrated health system para sa bawat Filipino, “consistent with the Republic Act (RA) No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act of 2019,” ayon sa Malakanyang.

Nakasaad naman sa RA No. 11223  na ” the  State shall adopt a framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach in the development and implementation of health policies, programs and plans to ensure people-oriented approach in the delivery of health services.”

“The health plan operationalizes one of the strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, particularly on the promotion of human and social development by boosting health through an accessible, efficient, and strengthened health care system,” ayon pa rin sa Malakanyang. (Daris Jose)