A PETITION TO HIS EXCELLENCY

RODRIGO R. DUTERTE
CALLING FOR THE STATUS QUO OF THE HEALTHCARE
SYSTEM SET-UP OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO, PARTICULARLY THE PROVINCE OF SULU.

Upon the inception and the implementation of

Republic Act 6734 otherwise known as the Organic Act
for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, health
services has always remained to be a primordial concern
of the Regional Government.
This concern is mandated in Section 11, Article III and
Section 2 of Article XVI of the said Act.

In both Sections, the provision of health services by the

Regional Government through the committed health workers of the
Province of Sulu has gained ground despite the constant danger to
life and limb.

The above situation has permeated the communities of Sulu

until most recently when the Office of the Regional Governor has
made the pronouncement that the health care system shall be
devolved to the respective local government units.

The pronouncement has dampened the wick upon which the

flames of service have long shined so brightly. The pronouncement
has caused uncertainties and insecurities.

The uncertainties and insecurities are not based on

assumptions and presumptions. It is based on reality. Reality
that shows the fact of local government units not being able to
provide for the basic health needs for the people.

Reality that shows the fact that of the eighteen (18)

municipalities of the Province of Sulu, not a single municipality
have allotted even five percent (5%) of their total internal
revenue allotment for health services.

Reality that shows that the local government units are not
that ready to assume this gargantuan task.

Reality that shows the parochial mentality of local

government units causing displacement of health workers and their
families, unemployment, oppression and harassment.

These realities will ultimately lead to the failure to

attain the Philippine Health Agenda of the present
administration. This failure will lead to both socio-economic
catastrophe.
 With the above circumstances it is only but relevant,
pressing and timely that the capabilities of the local government
units be determined before actual devolution is implemented.

This logical step is only but very necessary to forestall

the repeat of the travails with which the local government units
where beset with upon the implementation of the devolution
brought about by Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code
which in effect was not devolution in its true sense but only de-
concentration of government functions without the required
resources.

While we are not to question the wisdom of our present

leaders, we feel only for the plight of the people we have long
so served. We have seen their ordeals and have felt their pains
brought about by the failure to adequately and timely respond.

Thus more than ever we reiterate the need to assess and

evaluate the situation.

We the 1000+ strong healthcare providers of Sulu plea for a

status quo of the current healthcare system set-up and pledge our
commitment to uplifting the quality of life of for the people of
Sulu.

We steadfastly remain.