BARMM bill seeks to establish hospital in Maguindanao town


COTABATO CITY – Two lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have filed a proposal for the establishment of a PHP78-million hospital in Datu Blah Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) – BARMM Members of Parliament Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas and Engr. Baintan Ampatuan said Wednesday they have filed Parliament Bill No. 118, also known as the "Datu Blah T. Sinsuat Municipal Hospital (DBSMH) Establishment Act of 2021" to serve patients from the coastal municipality with sufficient medical support and service.

“The region’s Ministry of Health (MOH) will supervise the proposed DBSMH to fulfill its goal of expanding highly accessible, affordable, comprehensive total health care and hospital services to the BARMM constituents in the area,” Abas, concurrent MOH-BARMM deputy minister, said.

The DBSMH is initially positioned as an infirmary with a 10-15 bed capacity.

It will operate under the Department of Health's Bureau of Health Facilities and Services' licensing standards.

“Once passed, the bill will allocate PHP78 million for the hospital's construction, procurement of equipment, and initial operations,” Ampatuan said.

To date, there are 10 bills in the plenary that seek to improve and construct medical facilities in the BARMM.

With this, the BTA has urged the Committee on Health to act immediately and approve all bills relating to the upgrade and construction of hospitals within the region as the pandemic continues to pose challenges in the country, including the BARMM.

Datu Blah Sinsuat town, locally referred to as DBS, is located in the northern coastline of Maguindanao, has a population of 28,243 based on the 2020 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority–BARMM.

It is a recipient of various infrastructure projects from the BARMM government.

In April this year, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim and other BTA members led the inauguration of the Matuber Bridge in the coastal community of DBS to help them boost economic activities in the area.

Both Abas and Baintan said the establishment of the DBSMH will complete the development of the town in terms of modern health services. (PNA)

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