Malabuyoc hospital to start operation soon

CEBU, Philippines - A new P50-million hospital in Malabuyoc will soon cater its constituents and those in neighboring towns after its construction has been completed.

The two-storey facility is expected to be serviceable this year, according to the Provincial Information Office.

Information officer Ethel Natera said the operation of the hospital is still put on hold pending the development of the area surrounding it and the purchase of hospital equipment.

She added, quoting provincial engineer Hector Jamora, that the hospital’s capacity would have at least 50 beds.

The hospital was funded by the Department of Health under its Health Facility Enhancement Program and constructed on the DOH standard.

Natera explained that the province was tapped to supervise the construction of the hospital. She said the province will help in the purchase of the equipment if there is a need for augmentation.

The Provincial Planning and Development Office will submit a resolution to the Provincial Development Council endorsing the construction of the facilities, which will be funded from the development fund of the province, particularly under the Provincial Health Office.

The provincial government is considering ways to partially utilize the new hospital. Currently, Mariano J. Cuenco Memorial Hospital is the only health facility operating in Malabuyoc.

Natera said it would be upon the agreement between the Capitol and the local government of Malabuyoc how to utilize the old hospital once the new one become operational.

The construction of the hospital in Malabuyoc is among the government projects implemented in southern part of the province.  The provincial government has downloaded P2.5Million for the construction of some barangay roads in Samboan which would serve as diversion road in the event that the national highway would be impassable.

The Department of Agriculture  and the Department of Public Works and Highway, on the other hand, also funded road projects passing through the barangays of Bonbon, Upper and Lower Jumangpas, Monteverde, Calatagan, Camburoy, and Colase in the same town.

The municipality of Alegria received P5 million from the Capitol for the construction of their annex building.

At present, the municipal building lacks offices. Once constructed, the new building will house different offices of the municipality.  (FREEMAN)