DAVAO CITY , Philippines – A new building costing P500 million will replace the old structure at the Davao Mental Hospital that was razed by fire last Wednesday morning.
Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan said an allocation of P500 million had been allocated to rebuild the hospital even before the fire struck.
Aside from the construction of a new building, the DOH has also allotted funds for the upgrade of the facilities and equipment of the mental hospital.
The fire-razed building was reportedly built in 1918. The Davao Mental Hospital itself is said to be the oldest and the only public mental hospital in Mindanao.
At least 197 patients had to be evacuated when the fire broke out. A male patient managed to escape at the height of the blaze.