Senator Risa Hontiveros is scheduled to be in Bacolod City today for the groundbreaking of a barangay health center in the city’s Barangay Alijis.

The senator, who currently serves as vice chairperson for the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, was previously appointed by then-President Benigno S. Aquino III to serve as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) director.

The P3 million facility, which includes a health center and lying-in clinic, was funded by the national government.

Following the passage of SB 1537, or the Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act, also referred to as the “First 1,000 Days Bill,” earlier this month, Hontiveros discussed the benefits of the legislation.

“Ensuring every child receives adequate nutrition and is provided critical health services during this window can yield dividends for a lifetime, allowing them to perform better in school, more effectively fight off diseases, earn more as an adult, and become healthy, productive citizens,” she said./WDJ