Establishing a more secure and well-outlined healthcare system in the city, Valenzuela City Mayor WES Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, and Councilor Atty. Bimbo Dela Cruz led the orientation of the newly signed Ordinance No. 1178, Series of 2024, or the “Valenzuela City Anti-Hospital Detention Ordinance” to some private medical institution owners in the City, May 22.

Councilor Bimbo, who authored the said ordinance, discussed the provisions that fed the private hospital and clinic owners the details of the Anti-Hospital Detention Ordinance, which was enacted on May 6, 2024. Reiterating the main points of the local policy for their information and to avoid confusion on its full implementation.

In his presentation, he discussed the prohibitions such as the illegal detention of patients and patient representatives on the grounds of non-payment of healthcare fees and hospital bills, and the non-issuance of birth and death certificates even after executing a notarized promissory note.

Moreover, administrative penalties were tackled that may be imposed on the healthcare institution corporate officers who will violate the ordinance.

• 1st offense - Two hundred thousand pesos (PhP200,000) or suspension of business permit for thirty (30) calendar days, or both, upon the discretion of the city Mayor.

• 2nd offense - Three hundred thousand pesos (PhP300,000) or suspension of business permit for sixty (60) calendar days, or both, upon the discretion of the city Mayor.

• 3rd offense - Four hundred thousand (PhP400,000) or suspension of business, or both, upon the discretion of the city Mayor.

The Department of Health (DOH) representative, Dr. Jeremiah Francis Chan, also expressed the agency’s support for the passing of the city ordinance and briefly explained the patient’s rights to the attendees.

Mayor WES, on the other hand, reaffirms that healthcare is one the utmost priority of the city government and that it remains a partner with healthcare providers and institutions in putting patients' and citizens' overall well-being first. He said, “Bilang ama ng ating lungsod, trabaho po natin na protektahan ang ating mga kababayan. [At] dahil yan po ay mandato, hindi lang aking responsibilidad bilang punonglungsod, kundi malinaw po sa local government code natin, Section 16, to put utmost priority to general welfare ng ating mga kababayan. Kung dumating man sa punto [na nalagay sa alanganin] ang ating health and safety, etc,… dito na po papasok ang lokal na pamahalaan. Dinisenyo po natin itong ordinansa with all your inputs – countless hours were taken in grafting this ordinance. And the city council took into considerations lahat ng inyong inputs.” [As the father of our city, it is my job to protect our citizens. And because that is a mandate, it is not only my responsibility as the mayor, but it is stated in our local government code, Section 16, to give utmost priority to the general welfare of our countrymen. If we come to a point where our health and safety are in jeopardy, the local government will step in. We designed this ordinance with all your input; countless hours were spent grafting this ordinance. And the city council took into consideration all your inputs]

Furthermore, the city government reminded everyone that the newly signed Ordinance No. 1178, s. 2024 will be in full effect, to be implemented starting June 1, 2024.

The orientation was also graced by representatives from the DOH including Atty. Bianca Diespe, Dr. Armando Chiong, and Dr. Nenita Soluta, and City Health Office Head Dr. Marthony Basco.

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