BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is expected to lead the groundbreaking rites for the construction of the Bacolod City General Hospital in Brgy. Vista Alegre, Bacolod City on September 9, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said.
Gasataya said project will be constructed in two phases. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can already start the construction of the other buildings aside from the main hospital building anytime since the contract was already awarded. The main hospital building, on the other hand, is yet to undergo the bidding process.
The main hospital building has a budget of about P250 million, while the other buildings has a P200 million budget, he said.
He said the bidding for the construction of the main building of the BCGH is expected to start after the Department of Health (DOH) finalizes its floor plan.
It can be recalled that the Leonardia administration wanted the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) transferred to the 3.5-hectare property donated by the Gensoli family for the proposed hospital project.
Gasataya had said that the DOH suggested, based on its technical observation, that the CHO should not be constructed side by side with the hospital within the 3.5-hectare property.
According to the DOH, the function of the hospital is curative in nature while that of the CHO is preventive, he said.
The DOH has suggested that instead of having the CHO constructed within the hospital complex, what should be established are the ancillary and support services of the hospital like the dialysis center, molecular laboratory and other services needed by the facility, the solon said.
Gasataya said the DOH believes that the CHO should not be part of the hospital complex to allow room for expansion.
He said the DPWH had conducted the bidding for the construction of the dietary building, morgue, linen and laundry services and the land development of the property amounting to P200 million.
Also expected to attend the groundbreaking are Bacolod city officials led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the Gensoli family, and representatives from the DOH and DPWH.*
