The Lapu-Lapu City government will take the lead in implementing the free dialysis center in this province as promised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
In his SONA, the President underscored his administration’s goal of increasing the free dialysis service to 156 sessions from the current covered number of 90 sessions.
“Upang mas lalo pang makatulong sa mga pasyente, ang dating siyam-napung libreng dialysis sessions ay inakyat na natin sa isandaan at limampu’t anim. Mga kababayan, libre na po ngayon ang dialysis para sa karamihan ng Pilipino (In order to help further the dialysis patients, we have increased the free 90 dialysis sessions before to 156. Our countrymen, dialysis is now free to most Filipinos),” he said.
The Chief Executive, in his SONA, highlighted the 3.4 million recipients of the Department of Health’s aid under the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAP) program.
Mayor Junard Chan said on Tuesday the health agenda of the President is worth the support of the local government units, considering the prevalence of kidney diseases across the constituencies.
“I am also delighted that the President’s agenda aligns with the vision of the local government unit, which aims to provide free essential services, including free dialysis sessions to Filipinos,” Chan said.
Lone District Rep. Cindi King-Chan said the President’s plan on health is timely when the Mactan Island residents will soon have their own center that will take care of their dialysis sessions without going to mainland Cebu.
“This made me very happy (because) soon, we will be opening our very own dialysis center in the city,” King-Chan said.
Meanwhile, the mayor lauded Marcos’ dedication to addressing social issues and his commitment to providing free education to financially disadvantaged yet deserving and talented students.
“I appreciate the President’s efforts to address the shortage of classrooms and facilities, as well as his focus on tackling hunger and nutrition-related problems among the people,” the mayor said.
The mayor also cited Marcos’ effort to solve the illegal drug problem in the country, echoing the successful efforts made in this historical city.
Hopeful tomorrow
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, meanwhile, commended the President for his “sweet, brief, and clear” message in his SONA.
“It’s quite an all-embracing coverage in the facets of governance. With the data being presented, it brings a very hopeful tomorrow for our country,” he said.
“The President gave a very comprehensive report on the gains of the Marcos administration in just one year. And considering that he started with an economy ravaged by the pandemic restrictions, I must say he has done admirably well,” Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said in a press statement.
Shortly after the SONA, Garcia gave President Marcos a “good score” for his significant accomplishments in his first full year of administration. (PNA)
