Full TEXT:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-111

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A DENTAL CLINIC AT THE OUR LADY OF LOURDES INFIRMARY IN BARANGAY CAROLINA, NAGA CITY, TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE UPPER BARANGAYS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR:

Authors: City Councilor Jessie R. Albeus, D.M.D.

Senior Citizen Councilor Simeon Jesus B. Adan Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Oral health is an integral component of overall health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene and untreated dental conditions can lead to pain, infection, and complications that affect nutrition, speech, self-esteem, and productivity. Despite its importance, access to dental services remains limited in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities, particularly in the upper barangays of Naga City.

This proposed ordinance seeks to establish a dental clinic at the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary in Barangay Carolina, Naga City, to bring essential oral health services closer to residents of the upper barangays. The infirmary currently serves as a primary health facility for these communities, and the addition of a dental clinic will significantly enhance its capacity to deliver comprehensive care.

The legal basis for this initiative is anchored on Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates local government units to promote health and ensure the delivery of basic services, including dental care. Furthermore, the Department of Health’s National Objectives for Health underscore the importance of preventive and promotive health services, including oral health programs.

By establishing this clinic, the City Government of Naga affirms its commitment to equitable health access, especially for underserved populations. It will provide preventive, curative, and rehabilitative dental procedures such as oral prophylaxis, restorative treatments, minor oral surgeries, and prosthodontic services. These interventions will not only address existing dental conditions but also help reduce the prevalence of oral diseases in the long term. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this ordinance is earnestly sought.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Naga:

SECTION 1. TITLE. This ordinance shall be known as the “Ordinance Establishing the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary Dental Clinic in Barangay Carolina, Naga City.”

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. It is hereby declared the policy of the City Government of Naga to promote equitable access to essential health services, including oral health care, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities. In pursuit of this, the City shall establish a dental clinic at the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary to serve the residents of Barangay Carolina and neighboring upper barangays.

SECTION 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC. There is hereby established a dental clinic within the premises of the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary located in Barangay Carolina, Naga City. The clinic shall operate as a satellite oral health facility under the supervision of the City Health Office.

SECTION 4. OBJECTIVES. The dental clinic shall aim to:

• Provide preventive and curative dental services to residents of the upper barangays;
• Reduce the incidence of oral diseases through community-based interventions;
• Serve as a referral point for more complex dental cases to higher-level facilities.

SECTION 5. DENTAL STAFF. The Dental Clinic shall be staffed by the following personnel:

• One (1) Dentist II
• One (1) Dental Aide

For the initial phase of implementation, Dentists from the City Health Office shall be assigned to duty at least twice a week at the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary. The Dentist shall continue to render Barangay Dental Health Services on their assigned barangays in pursuit of the Oral Advocacy Programs.

SECTION 6. DENTAL SERVICES. The Dental Clinic shall operate from Mondays to Fridays rendering basic dental services and all other procedures covered under the Philhealth Konsulta Package such as but not limited to:

• Oral examinations
• Dental cleaning (prophylaxis)
• Fluoride varnish application
• Fissure sealants
• Emergency tooth extractions
• Dental consultations
• Restorative Procedures
• Minor and Special Oral Surgical Procedures, depending on the competence of the Dentist on duty
• Simple Prosthodontic Procedures (Removable Dentures)

The City Human Resource and Management Office Head in consultation with the City Health Officer and upon the approval of the City Mayor, shall cause the assignment of the personnel once the facility of the Dental Clinic is available for occupancy and operation.

SECTION 7. DENTAL FEES. The Chief of Office shall submit to the Sangguniang Panlungsod the Proposed Rates for various appropriate Dental Services, for review and approval. Fees in excess and not covered by the Philhealth Konsulta Package shall be paid by the clients.

SECTION 8. INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN AND PROCUREMENT. The City Engineer’s Office (CEO) is hereby mandated to design and oversee the construction or renovation of a suitable space within the premises of the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary (OLLI) to house the dental clinic. The design shall ensure compliance with the health and safety standards of the Department of Health.

The City Budget Office and the City Procurement Office are likewise directed to facilitate the timely acquisition of the dental chair, equipment, instruments, and materials necessary for the full operation of the clinic. All actions under this section shall be undertaken under the direct supervision of the City Mayor.

SECTION 9. APPROPRIATIONS. The necessary amount to carry out the effective implementation of this Ordinance shall be charged to the 2026 Annual Budget or the 2025 Surplus of the City Government. Future operational requirements shall be included in the annual budget of the Naga City General Hospital.

SECTION 10. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING. The Chief of the Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary shall submit quarterly reports on the operations and performance of the Dental Clinic to the Office of the City Mayor, copy furnished the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The Administrator of the Naga City General Hospital shall formulate the necessary Implementing Rules and Procedures of the Dental Clinic within thirty (60) days upon approval of this Ordinance.

SECTION 11. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. REPEALING CLAUSE. All ordinances, resolutions, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVITY. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its approval and posting at the official social media accounts of the City Government of Naga.

ENACTED: December 9, 2025

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

(Sgd.) GABRIEL H. BORDADO JR. City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

ATTESTED:

(Sgd.) GIL A. DE LA TORRE Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

APPROVED:

(Sgd.) MARIA LEONOR G. ROBREDO City Mayor