Federalism key to better health service delivery : gov’t doc

A former Doctor to the Barrio (DTTB) in Mindanao on Thursday said that the shift to federalism from the current unitary system of government will be beneficial in improving the country’s health system. (Photo by Kristopher Radder via COMSEVENTHFLT/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

MANILA — A former Doctor to the Barrio (DTTB) in Mindanao on Thursday said that the shift to federalism from the current unitary system of government will be beneficial in improving the country’s health system.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Dr. Melhammid “Prince” Tomawis said that under federal system of government, there is a greater chance for the health service delivery even to the remote areas and provinces.

“Because under federalism, the region or state will have its own power and resources,” said Tomawis, who currently serves as a medical specialist in National Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH) in Manila.

Under a federal system, Tomawis said the network of corruption which usually starts from the national government can be eliminated because the President or the central government cannot dictate or influence the local government units.

Based on his experience as DTTB from 2007 to 2010 in Mindanao, Tomawis said he witnessed some situations that health service delivery failed to reach its destination not because of lack of fund but due to corruption.

He said that it is important that a federal form of government should be fully understood by the people and how it would affect every aspect of public administration and governance.

Tomawis cited that federalism is now adopted by countries such as United States, France, Malaysia and Germany.

He said that majority who are against a federal form of government are the affluent individuals who want to retain the status quo and maintain their power and resources.