Capitol sets aside P16M for hospital expansion, sewage

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has earmarked ?16 million for expansion projects at Ricardo L. Maningo Memorial Hospital (RLMMH) and for the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP), Piso Health Consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan confirmed Tuesday, June 9.

Of the amount, ?14,753,000 was allocated for repairs and expansions of the hospital’s emergency room, wards, laboratory rooms, and pharmacy.

Catalan, together with representatives from the Provincial Engineering Office and hospital chief Dr. Rene Borromeo, held a pre-construction conference for the two major projects on June 4.

Although no timeline has been set, Catalan said the meeting was a necessary step to ensure all details are in place before construction begins.

“We did the pre-construction conference first to set expectations and to make sure that the plans are aligned with what is underground,” she said.

Meanwhile, a budget of ?1–2 million was allotted for the STP, a wastewater facility that will collect and treat discharged water from the hospital.

Catalan noted that RLMMH currently lacks wastewater treatment measures, adding that most Capitol-managed hospitals will soon have STPs.

A milestone was also reached in Camotes with the opening of its first-ever Breast Clinic, the first of its kind among the Capitol’s four provincial hospitals and 12 district hospitals. The facility, a flagship initiative of Dr. Borromeo, was inaugurated last month.

“Siya (Dr. Borromeo) ang sort of first line nga mutan’aw if maoperahan ra niya didto or if naay magneed og higher level of care, irefer na with proper direction where to go,” Catalan said.

She added that the Capitol is eyeing the expansion of breast clinics to other hospitals, though each facility is still being encouraged to strengthen its own specialties.

Catalan described the initiative as a positive development, saying that under the chief of hospitals, new programs are piloted first before being replicated elsewhere.

“Mao gyud na ang gitrabaho ni Gov from the very beginning,” she added, referring to efforts to boost manpower and improve healthcare delivery for the people.

Medical missions will continue, but Catalan expressed hope that hospitals will eventually be able to conduct such missions independently.

She also confirmed that a gynecological surgical mission will be held in Bogo City on June 13 and 14. — Jona Mariel Apurado and Jhiezel Jane Camarill, CNU Interns/LPM (FREEMAN)