As part of his commitment to prioritize the health needs of his constituents specifically that of the senior citizens, Cong. Rene L. Relampagos of the first district of Bohol gave away health packs containing six-month supply of multivitamins to 2,098 senior citizens of Catigbian last July 10. The turn-over was witnessed by the newly elected Mayor Engr. Virgilio Lurot and Ms. Linda Cilicot of Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MWSD). Last Friday, Cong. Relampagos also distributed health packs to 2694 senior citizens of the municipality of Dauis. The turn-over was witnessed by newly elected Mayor Miriam Sumaylo and Calixta Inday Arabejo of the MWSD. This health pack distribution which is a part of PROJECT RENE (Response to Emergency Needs Everyday) is a continuation to what Cong. Relampagos had started during his first term as first district representative when he had given away health packs to 10 municipalities of the first district including the City of Tagbilaran and he intends to finish the distribution in the rest of the municipalities in his second term.

Cong. Relampagos said that he will soon visit the municipalities of Baclayon, Corella and Panglao to also distribute health packs to the senior citizens there. Political observers noted that it’s clear the said health packs were not used by Cong. Relampagos as a political campaign gimmick during the last mid-term elections because he did not cram in finishing the distribution to all the municipalities during the campaign period and is committed to do so after the election. Cong. Relampagos added that as long as he remains in position, health will always be his top priority and that apart from giving away multi-vitamins to senior citizens, he will continue and even expand the implementation of his other health projects during his second term, including his ‘Botika sa Barangay’ program, provision of hospital/medical equipment for certain government hospitals, allocation of funds for financial assistance to indigent patients of the first district availing of services from Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute. He will also coordinate and support the initiatives of NGO’s and private institutions in addressing the medical needs of the people. As a lawmaker, he will continue pushing for making health-related laws that will benefit not only the first district but the entire province of Bohol.

It could be remembered that Cong. Relampagos filed a house bill seeking to amend Act No. 3114, as amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 640 and Rep. Act No. 7266, to increase the bed capacity of Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City, from 225 to 410 beds. He said that he is looking forward to the enactment of the said bill. Some of the health-related bills Cong. Relampagos filed as principal author during the 15th Congress are the following: House Bill 4849 – An Act to Institute Policies to Prohibit Commercial Dealings in Human Organs, Tissues and/or Parts, Providing Penalties Therefor for its Violations, and for other Purposes; House Bill 4799 – An act penalizing persons driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs and for other purposes. As part of his effort in addressing the needs of the senior citizens, he also filed as principal author House Bill 5921 - An Act Establishing an Eldercare Center for Unattended, Abandoned, Neglected and Homeless Senior Citizens in the First District of the Province of Bohol, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes. Cong. Relampagos said that he will push for the passage of the said house bills. (by Jill Christianae R. Robinson)