Multi-use building turned over to Barangay Opao

CEBU, Philippines — The ?80-million multi-purpose building in Barangay Opao, Mandaue City, was officially turned over yesterday, February 17.

Barangay Opao officials, led by Barangay Captain Nixon “Jojo” Dizon, together with City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano and Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano Dizon, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the turnover and blessing of the new facility.

The five-story building houses a multi-purpose hall, offices of the Barangay Council and the Sangguniang Kabataan, the Gender and Development (GAD) office, Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) office, and Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) offices, two conference rooms, the Office of the Barangay Captain, a satellite office of Congresswoman Dizon, the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability (PWD) office, an e-library, the Basic Services Office, and the Barangay Public Safety Office (BPSO).

The structure is the first barangay hall in Mandaue City equipped with an elevator.

Aside from office spaces, the building also features a Super Health Center equipped with a pharmacy, X-ray laboratory, birthing center, patient consultation rooms, dental services, and a minor operating room. The facility is expected to serve not only Opao residents but also those from neighboring barangays, including Cambaro, Umapad, and Looc.

However, the barangay has yet to secure accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH) for the facility to operate as a Super Health Center.

For now, the facility will operate as a Primary Care Facility. Once accredited, the DOH is expected to provide counterpart support, including health personnel and equipment.

Mayor Ouano said the city government will likewise assist the barangay in providing health equipment and personnel.

“Atong sabuton ang barangay nga kung naa pa silay extra budget, mag tunga-tunga lang, but as of now tabangan sa city,” the mayor said.

He added that the Super Health Center could help decongest the Mandaue City Hospital.

The ?80-million barangay hall was funded by the national government, with ?40 million coming from Tingog Party-list and Lakas CMD, while the remaining ?40 million was sourced through the Office of Congresswoman Dizon. The project was constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Barangay Captain Dizon, meanwhile, said the construction of the barangay hall was a personal request he made to his wife, Congresswoman Dizon, as part of his goal to leave a “legacy” during his term.

“Nagsige g’yud ko og pamarayg sa akoang asawa kay for me, legacy ni. Mahimo ning landmark sa Barangay Opao nga naay 5-story barangay hall diri sa Dakbayan sa Mandaue,” Dizon said.

He stressed that healthcare remains among his top priorities, particularly for indigent residents and those from cluster barangays.

Congresswoman Dizon said the barangay hall, with its primary healthcare facility, will provide “better, faster, and accessible healthcare” to residents. — (FREEMAN)