Batangas Expands Free Healthcare Services Under HELP ProgramEDSA Busway Concourse Project Launched to Improve Commuter Access in Manila

BATANGAS – The Batangas provincial government has announced a comprehensive expansion of its free healthcare services, aligning with the Health, Education, Livelihood, and Protection (HELP) program’s objectives. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of its residents through improved access to healthcare.

According to Philippines News Agency, the expansion plan will capitalize on national health initiatives such as the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act No. 11223) and the “Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat (LAB for ALL)” program. In a Tuesday interview, Mandanas outlined the provincial government’s strategy to augment healthcare services, which includes hiring additional staff, procuring more diagnostic equipment, and acquiring new ambulances for district hospitals.

Further detailing the expansion efforts, the governor highlighted the province’s push to offer more free medical services and medicines to Batangueños facing financial hardships. Despite acknowledging the financial strain these enhancements have placed on the provincial budget, Mandanas advocated for the full enactment of the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling. This landmark decision aims to bolster financial decentralization by increasing local government units’ (LGUs) share of national tax revenues, providing them with greater fiscal autonomy to implement such vital projects.

On February 8, Governor Mandanas led the inauguration of a new provincial healthcare facility in Bauan, designed to serve over 90,000 residents of the municipality. The Provincial Information Office noted that this state-of-the-art facility includes laboratory services offering clinical microscopy, immunology and serology, complete blood count, and blood chemistry tests.

Mandanas also praised the “Lab for All” caravan, initiated in the province last year by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, for its significant contribution to the healthcare sector. This program has played a crucial role in supporting the provincial government’s mission to deliver comprehensive and accessible healthcare services to its citizens.

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the launch of the EDSA Busway Concourse, a project aimed at providing safer and more convenient walkways for commuters at several bus stations along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony near SM North EDSA, the initiative is designed to facilitate easier access to the EDSA Busway through partnerships between the government and the private sector.

“This concourse leading to the busway should be counted as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that addresses one of DOTr’s goals – accessibility,” Bautista stated during the event. The project intends to connect the EDSA busway directly with nearby commercial, business, leisure, and employment centers, enabling pedestrians to cross EDSA more easily.

The DOTr has collaborated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Quezon City local government to implement the project. It includes the construction of footbridges at SM North EDSA and SM Megamall, and a ground station at SM Mall of Asia. Additionally, a new site will be developed by SM at the EDSA Busway Ortigas Station.

The EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse project will feature amenities such as a concierge, ticketing booth, turnstiles for an automated fare collection system, and ramps and elevators to ensure accessibility. Partnerships with D.M. Wenceslao and Double Dragon will facilitate the construction of accessible walkways at the ASEANA and Macapagal stations, respectively.

Scheduled for completion by July 31, 2024, the project’s costs will be entirely covered by SM Prime Holdings, Inc., marking a significant investment in public infrastructure aimed at enhancing the daily commute for thousands of Filipinos.