Romualdez continues to fight for children’s hospital
• November 18, 2014
• Written by Jester P. Manalastas
• Published in Top Stories
• 0comments
THE stories of children struggling for their lives inspired lawmakers, including House independent minority leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, to continue fighting for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).
Romualdez is the main author of House Resolution No. 301, which seeks to ensure the continuity of hospital services as part of the obligation by the government in providing health care assistance to Filipinos.
He joined other lawmakers and the Gabriela party list in their effort to stop the eviction of the PCMC in Quezon City.
During the launch of a photo exhibit dubbed “Journey: The Challenges of #Save PCMC” where Romualdez was a guest speaker, 11-year-old PCMC patient Van Ryan Malud, who is confined to a wheelchair, serenaded the lawmakers and other participants to strengthen their struggle to modernize and secure the hospital lot.
Malud, who is suffering from a disease that rendered his bones soft and weak, sang two inspirational songs, including Lordivino “Bassilyo” Ignacio’s “Lord, Patawad” from the album Klasik.
“Makita lang ang performance mo (Malud) sa YouTube, siguradong magiging viral at tapos na ang boxing. Na-inspire ako sa iyo,” Romualdez said. “Despite what you are going through in life, you continue to inspire so many people. We will continue our fight against the eviction of hospital to ensure it will remain in serving the sick children,” he stressed.
The photo exhibit is a documentation of the struggles of the PCMC, along with different groups, to save its existence and stay in the present land location.
Gabriela also filed House Resolution No. 1529 to express opposition in the seeming eviction of the hospital.
Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Luzviminda “Luz” Ilagan said that the struggle to resist the move of the Department of Health to relocate PCMC and give the land to other parties is not yet over. “Habang hindi pa natin hawak ang titulo sa lupa, hindi pa rin tayo panatag sa mga pangako ni Kalihim Enrique Ona (on leave) na hindi na ipapatupad ang eviction at ibibigay na ang land title sa ospital ng mga anak natin,” De Jesus said.
The House Committee on Children, led by Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Aurora Cerilles, led the event, and she was joined by Romualdez, Ang NARS party-list Rep. Leah Pacquiz, Sagip party-list Rep. Erlinda Santiago, and Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap in the formal opening of the exhibit.
PCMC doctors, nurses, and hospital staff joined the event, which was supported by the AkapBata
Alliance, Kadamay, PCMC Labor Union, and Tudla Productions.