Año says local officials cannot close hospitals who accept patients from other areas

March 30, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday told  local government units that they cannot order closure of a hospital as the country is  battling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.

“That is not allowed… there are procedures on how to handle a PUI (persons under investigation) and positive COVID patients… there is just a need for a coordination between private hospital and local government units,” Año said in a radio interview.

He  made the statement after Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. ordered the closure and lockdown of Philippine Rehabilitation Institute (PRI) Medical Center in Barangay Pampang last Saturday after it admitted a COVID-19 patient, and three persons under investigation from Quezon City.

In a press release, Lazatin said the hospital brought the patients without informing the city government, violating their agreement they will only cater COVID-19 cases within the city.

Año said he spoke to the local officials and the hospital is now operational.He said if the local officials feel that the hospital violated something, they can only file a complaint against the hospital and cannot order  its closure.

“This (COVID-19) is global (and) national problem. So you cannot create your own wall… you have to protect the community but if someone needs a medical attention you cannot reject them even if they came from different place,” he said.

“Let us accept the fact that this is our problem now. This is nationwide. You don’t know who is the carrier. That’s why you need to stay at home. If a patient needs help, you have to ...help them… This is our civic obligation or responsibility,” he added.

In a statement, Año said Lazatin's move to close the Philippine Rehabilitation Institute Medical Center (PRIMC) is contrary to the recently passed Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

The law declares as a policy the immediate and ample provision of healthcare to COVID-19 patients, PUIs, or persons under monitoring (PUMs) and to promote collective interests of all Filipinos in these challenging times.

The DILG chief reminded local chief executive not to exceed their authority and pointed out that obstructing regular hospital operations, whether public or privately-owned, threatens the safety of not only the patients but also the community.

Año said the DILG, as the agency mandated to assist the President in the exercise of general supervision over local government units (LGUs), is helping ensure the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which empowered the President to ensure that all LGUs are acting within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations, and directives issued by the national government pursuant to the Bayanihan law.

“The Bayanihan Law mandates the government to partner with the private sector and other stakeholders to deliver measures and programs quickly and efficiently. What the PRIMC has done in attending to patients is only proper. That should not be a ground to abruptly order its closure. The closure of the establishment will cause big problem especially right now that we are facing a crisis,” he said.  Ella Dionisio/DMS