TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 14 (PIA) -- Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque challenged Boholano cooperatives to unite and grab the opportunity to fill in the gap left unserved by the hospitals and medical institutions as the country implements the Universal Health Care Law (UHCL). 

Speaking during the Consultative Meeting with Cooperatives and Farmer Leaders at the Modala Beach Resort Conference Hall on July 10, Roque banked his argument on the UHCL that allows for three dialysis sessions a week, which technically is free dialysis as provided by law, but the current reality shows that there are not enough dialysis machines available.

This is where the cooperatives can go as the government has already assured (free dialysis) payments, the Malacañang spokesperson said.

Three dialysis sessions per week for persons with renal failure totals to 12 dialysis sessions per month and by 12 months, this is an assured 144 sessions paid for by the government to Filipinos as provided by law.

Roque said this is a golden opportunity for cooperatives as the government has assured a ready source of revenues.

"If we help put up other businesses, why do we not cooperate on our health with the government as our client?" asked Roque to the tenured cooperative members and farmer leaders representing peoples’ organizations across Bohol who were gathered at the beachfront hall of Modala.

Roque also cited the possibility of establishing cooperative hospitals. 

"We can unite and put up hospitals with private paying wards, there is accredit facility that offers 1% interest," said Roque. 

He said the World Health Organization, which came up with a hospital bed to population ratio, showed that the Philippines is still in need of 52,000 beds.  

The implementation of the Mandanas Rule by next year opens up more opportunities for cooperative groups to get a share of the 37% more Internal Revenue Allotment for local government units, Roque said.

“Now more than ever, we need to cooperate and use our savings as a capital for more investments,”he said in his keynote address at the consultative meeting hosted by Cooperative Development Authority Administrator and Chairman of the Board Benjie Oliva. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)