Municipality of Libertad Opens Own Healthcare Facility in 72 Years

The first polyclinic in the Municipality of Libertad in Antique was recently inaugurated by Senatorial aspirant Loren Legarda in an effort to provide her “kasimanwa” (co-citizens) with quality health care services. The three-term senator, who also co-sponsored the Universal Health Care Act, helped in the establishment of the Libertad Polyclinic through the allocation of funds under the Department of Health’s budget.

“The health of my kasimanwa should always be prioritized, especially amid this pandemic. I am glad that we were able to pursue the construction of Libertad Polyclinic, the first in the Municipality of Libertad after 72 years of not having their own healthcare facility,” expressed Legarda.

During her tenure as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Legarda likewise enabled four Barangay Health Stations and one Rural Health Unit to be constructed in the Municipality of Libertad with proper allocations. These facilities are geared to deliver better access to quality, safe, and affordable health services, particularly for the indigents in the community.

“In almost 72 years of being a Municipality, Libertad finally reached the dream of having our very own healthcare facility with efficient medical service where there are available doctors, nurses, and medical personnel to attend to immediate medical needs and supervise laboratory tests, equipped with a pharmacy, and rooms for admission,” affirmed the Municipal Mayor of Libertad Mary Jean Te.

“This was all made possible through the initiative of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda. We are very thankful to our beloved Inday Loren for pushing for this invaluable project,” added Te, who noted the difficulties of her constituents in traveling just to receive proper healthcare prior to the construction of the polyclinic.

The nearest hospital from Libertad is located in Pandan, which is 30 minutes away, while other patients would have to endure an almost 3-hour journey to get to the capital town of San Jose for other medical and health services that are not available in the aforementioned municipality.

“The construction and upgrading of healthcare facilities in every municipality in Antique is part of my initiative to bring government programs and services closer to my kasimanwa. Quality healthcare is one of the people’s basic rights that is often being neglected,” Legarda insisted. “As a public servant, it is my responsibility to ensure that each and every Antiqueño gets quality and adequate health care services, especially those in the far-flung communities and the poorest of the poor.”

“Ang ikaayong lawas ng ating mga kasimanwa ay patuloy nating pinapahalagahan dahil ang probinsyang may maayos na programa sa kalusugan ay isang probinsyang produktibo at patuloy sa pag-unlad,” concluded the senatorial candidate.

(“We continue to value the well-being of our people because a province with a good health program is a productive and developing province.”)