Bidding for rehabilitation of health facilities set

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health yesterday said the agency will start on March the bidding for the repair of health care facilities in northern Cebu damaged by typhoon Yolanda on November of last year.

Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) assistant coordinator Russelle Gako said the national government through the DOH has approved the P21.030 million fund for the rehabilitation project in Central Visayas, particularly in 15 towns and one city.

“The budget has just been approved (at the) end of January worth P21,030,000 in 60 health facilities in northern Cebu. The fund was already downloaded to the DOH Central Visayas and is ready for implementation,” Gako told reporters during the post-disaster forum at the Central Command organized by the Philippine Information Agency.

Gako said the structures set for the first batch of repair include nine rural health units, 48 barangay health stations (BHS) and three hospitals.

The first batch of areas covered were among the most hit by the typhoon like Daanbantayan, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, Madridejos, San Remigio, Medellin, Bogo City, Poro and San Francisco both in Camotes islands.

The second batch of structures due for repair includes at least 47 buildings assessment of which is ongoing in both the DOH and the Cebu Provincial Engineering’s Office.

Cebu Integrated Provincial Health Office chief Cynthia Genosolango said their office has already submitted the detailed architectural and engineering design to the national health office.

“The necessary documents have been submitted to the DOH central office shortly after the super typhoon hit. These were required before the approval of the budget for the repair,” Genosolango said.

Both provincial and regional health office authorities stressed that it is up to the local government unit to monitor the progress of the repair from bidding until completion of the project.

DOH will handle the repair of damaged facilities, while the Department of Public Works and Highways will supervise if construction of new structures is needed.

Gako and Genosolango could not assure local media as to the target date for completion of rehabilitation project.  (FREEMAN)