By Hannah Torregoza Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has sought passage of a measure that would establish a hospital for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) where its personnel and their dependents can seek medical care. Senator JV Ejercito (Tony Pionilla / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Ejercito, in filing Senate Bill No. 2128, or the proposed “Philippine Coast Guard General Hospital Act,” said it is imperative that the country’s Coast Guards and their dependents have access to efficient and affordable health care services being at the forefront of the country’s maritime policies and programs. “The Philippine Coast Guard is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime security,” Ejercito said in the explanatory note of his bill. Ejercito, chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, said that the bill primarily seeks to recognize the Coast Guards’ hard work, bravery and heroism. He said to address their well-being should be the government’s utmost concern without sacrificing and jeopardizing the future of their family and loved ones. “Hence, it is only imperative that a Philippine Coast Guard hospital be established intended primarily for our Coast Guards and their dependents to address all of their medical needs and other services,” Ejercito said. The proposed hospital would be constructed and built in the Coast Guard Base in Taguig, Lower Bicutan. The bill also seeks an initial appropriation of P400-million for the hospital’s construction and initial operation. Its counterpart bill in the House of Representatives has been approved by the House Committee on Transportation and was introduced by Malabon City Representative Federico Sandoval II. The bill has been read on first reading and is pending before the Senate committees on health, public services and finance.