Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 20, 2019
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte enacted key legislative measures aimed at improving the country’s health care, pension services, trade and investments, in a signing ceremony of various Philippine laws at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace.
In his speech after the signing ceremony, President Duterte underscored the importance of the enacted laws as these would further support the administration’s development agenda for inclusive growth, wherein no Filipino will be left behind.
“The passage of these laws attests to how much the government can achieve when the executive and legislative branches work hand-in-hand in achieving a common legislative agenda,” the Chief Executive said.
Among the much anticipated bill that was signed into law is the Universal Health Care Act.
“By automatically installing our citizens into the national health insurance program, and expanding PhilHealth coverage to include free medical consultations and laboratory tests, the Universal Health Care Law that I signed today will guarantee equitable access to quality and affordable health care services for all Filipinos,” President Duterte said.
Under the said law, major significant reforms will be implemented including the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos to PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation), improvement of health facilities, the designation of PhilHealth as the national purchaser for health goods and services for individuals, and expanding new functions of the Department of Health (DOH).
The President expressed his hopes that the legislative branch continues to be a steadfast partner in crafting laws that would significantly improve the lives of the Filipinos.
“Let us work together in enabling our countrymen to lead more meaningful, productive, peaceful, and prosperous lives that we all deserve,” he asserted.
Aside from the Universal Health Care Act, President Duterte signed the Revised Corporation Code, the Reapportionment of the Province of Southern Leyte into Two Legislative Districts, the Presentation of the Social Security Act of 2018, the Philippines Sports Training Center Act, and the New Central Bank Act.
The President also witnessed the turnover of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dividends during the ceremony.
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