Doctors and health groups expressed support for the creation of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) aimed at overseeing public health emergencies.
The House of Representatives last March approved on second reading the proposal to organize the MRC, which aims to support the country’s health system in times of public health emergencies.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. included the creation of the MRC among the bills that will be prioritized by his administration during his first State of the Nation Address.
Under the bill, the President may also order the nationwide mobilization of the MRC to complement the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Corps in case of a declaration of a state of war, state of lawless violence, or state of calamity.
The Department of Health (DOH) may also suggest to the President the enlistment of the AFP to supplement the mobilized MRC to provide logistics and manpower for large-scale operations during public health emergencies.
Dr. Benito Atienza, former president of the Philippine Medical Association, said. “I hope there is a tax deduction, like that or something specific if something happens to a doctor, something happens to a health professional, what will be done, right?),” he said.
The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) has approved of the proposal but questioned the provision regarding the reimbursement of expenses.
One of the provisions in which the medical reservist will be reimbursed for the expenses that should be shouldered by the government when unable to respond to the deployment.