BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said the name of the Bacolod City General Hospital cannot be changed because it is covered by a national law.
Gasataya issued this clarification after questions were raised concerning the request of the donor that the property they donated in Vista Alegre for the establishment of the hospital be named Teofilo Memorial Center or Medical Complex.
The solon said the family wants the complex named after the donor and did not ask to change the name of the hospital. He said a portion of the lot will be used for the establishment of the City Health Office.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on June 24 Republic Act 11564 creating the Bacolod City General Hospital authored by Gasataya.
Gasataya said that if there are no hindrances, they hope to start the construction of the project next year after the Deed of Donation stipulated that it should be completed within five years.
He said Department of Health (DOH) is still waiting for the documents that the city needs to comply for the construction of the project to proceed.
A budget had been allotted by the Senate for the construction of the 3-storey hospital.
Gasataya said the budget for the medical equipment will be included in the fund of the national government for 2023.
The national government has committed to help the local government in the initial phase of the operation of the hospital, he said.
The hospital will be linked to the Bacolod Economic Highway and will be accessible through barangays Taculing, Handumanan and Felisa. So, accessibility will not be a problem in the next two years, Gasataya added.*
