TARLAC CITY – A public hearing was conducted at the SP Conference Hall on June 2, 2017 regarding the proposed city ordinance requiring all hospitals, medical clinic and similar institutions operating within the jurisdiction of Tarlac City to post R.A. 9439, “An Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses and Providing Penalties for Any Violation Thereof.”
The hearing was headed by City Councilors Glenn Troy Caritativo and Christopher Delos Reyes, both of whom are the authors and sponsors of the said ordinance. The public hearing was also attended by City Councilors Vlad Rodriguez and Ana Aguas along with Atty. Joselito Castro, City legal Officer, and Dr. Ma. Carmela Go, City Health Officer.
Barangay Health Workers and Community Health Center heads were also present at the meeting along with various doctors and representatives from hospitals namely: Dr Angeles T. De Leon – Loving Mother General Hospital; Mr. Zeal Espino and Mauslito Brata – Loving Mother General Hospital; Dr. Maita Rigor – Tarlac Provincial Hospital; Dr. Celina De Ocampo and Dr. Robert Carreon – Ramos General Hospital; Mr. Mars Saludez – Ramos General Hospital
City Mayor Cristy Angeles, known to be an advocate of appropriate providence of health care especially to her indigent constituents, supports the approval of this ordinance /Tarlac CIO.