THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved measures to address the safety of children in schools as well as to improve the province’s hospital referral system.
In its regular session on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the SP approved on first reading amendments to the Bohol Children’s Code.
The Committee of the Whole recommended prioritization and consideration of issues on school safety, child protection, violence prevention, early intervention, referral mechanisms, and other measures responsive to the identified needs of children and learners in the proposed amendments to the children’s code.
The proposed amendments adopt a whole-of-nation approach anchored on the four fundamental rights of children: the right to survival, development, protection, and participation. It is also expected to incorporate additional measures on mental health, school safety, child protection, and violence prevention.
The SP approved this move as the most appropriate legislative action to prevent and respond to shooting incidents, threats, and other security risks in schools.
Bohol Integrated Closed-Loop Health Referral, Patient Navigation, and Continuity of Care Ordinance.
In addition, the SP passed on first reading the proposed Bohol Integrated Closed-Loop Health Referral, Patient Navigation, and Continuity of Care Ordinance.
Introduced by Board Member Mutya Kismet Tirol, the measure seeks to establish a clearer system for referral coordination, patient navigation, facility capability mapping, inter-facility transfers, referral tracking, discharge planning, and return or step-down referrals.
“The principle is simple: The right patient should go to the right facility, for the right level of care, and there must be a clear path back once higher-level care is no longer needed. This is especially important for our indigent patients, senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, children, and families coming from geographically isolated communities,” Tirol, former Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center Chief, said.
The proposed ordinance stems from present concerns on congestion at the Gallares Hospital.
“If we manage referrals as a network rather than as one-way transfers to Gallares, we can help reduce avoidable pressure on the hospital while making sure patients who genuinely need tertiary care still reach it,” Tirol added.
Meanwhile, Board Member Nathaniel Binlod echoed Tirol’s call, citing reports of overcapacity at the Gallares Hospital.
Binlod said “Healthcare is about timely and accessible care. Our patients should not be left waiting when available resources may be better utilized.”
He underscored the need to look into the situation, understand the capacity and resources available, and find ways to improve the delivery of healthcare to the people.
Approved Resolutions and Committee Reports
In the same session presided over by Senior Board Member Tita Baja, the SP approved several resolutions.
It approved a resolution authorizing the Local Chief Executive to formally request to the Commission on Election (COMELEC) for exemption of the Provincial Government of Bohol’s social services and housing-related projects from the election ban in connection with the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), pursuant to COMELEC Resolution No. 11265.
It also authorized agreements by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) with various partners in the implementation of programs.
It approved a resolution authorizing Gov. Aris Aumentado to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the PGBh and the Coastal Local Enforcement Council (CLEC) Cluster 3 in connection with the support and sustenance of the province’s coastal protection, fisheries management, and monitoring programs.
It also approved a resolution authorizing the governor to sign the MOA between the PGBh and the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office VII (DA RFO VII), for the Provincial Livestock Agribusiness Incubation and Meat Processing Training and Demonstration Hub Project, which aims to establish a permanent enterprise-development facility for livestock training, meat processing, food-safety capacity-building, and related extension services.
The SP likewise authorized the governor to sign the MOA to be entered into by the PGBh and the Local Government Units of Getafe, Calape, Valencia, Tubigon, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, and Talibon for the procurement, establishment, operation, and management of Cold Storage Room, Ice Block Machine, and Ice Crusher.
In addition, it approved a resolution honoring PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions and PMI Bohol Boxing Stable for their significant contribution to the development of boxing and sports in the province.
It also endorsed, through a resolution, Asin Tibuok-making in Bohol, Kinaraang Kahibalo sa Ritwal nga Pabuhat sa mga Tam’ban sa Lamanok, Anda, Bohol and Panableja og Tableja de Binsoy, Jagna, Bohol as Intangible Cultural Heritage in the official list of Local Cultural Inventory in the Province of Bohol under the Philippine Registry of Heritage (PRH) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Furthermore, the SP adopted reports by the Committee of the Whole; Committee on Ways & Means; Committee on Ways & Means in collaboration with the Committee on Government Properties, Enterprises & Related Undertakings and Committee on Trade & Industry; Committee on Health & Public Sanitation; Committee on Cooperatives NGOs, POs and CSOs; Committee on Peace & Order and Public Safety in collaboration with the Committee on Finance, Budget, & Appropriations and Committee on Personnel & Related Policies; Committee on Review of Municipal Ordinances & Related Issuance; and Joint Committees on Finance, Budget & Appropriations, Health & Public Sanitation, and Barangay Affairs. (Office of the SP Sec/LMS)
