ILOILO – Ilonggos can soon avail themselves of more efficient health services from 12 district hospitals and the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town.
Through the efforts of Sen. Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, P595.615 million was allotted for the upgrading and improvement of these hospitals.
The fund has been included in the 2023 General Appropriations Act and lodged under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH).
It is 50.55 percent higher than the P395.615 million requested by the provincial government.
Of the total budget, P487.500 million is for infrastructure projects and P108.115 million is for the purchase of equipment.
Once the hospitals are upgraded, they can cater to more patients and reduce referrals to tertiary hospitals in Iloilo City, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
He added that sustaining operations and maintenance of the 13 hospitals is a big task.
Defensor thanked Angara for facilitating the fund request.
The senator also previously facilitated P121.029 million for the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) program of the provincial government.
The breakdown of the P595.615-million assistance is as follows:
* Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital (Guimbal) – P165.4 million
* San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital (San Joaquin) – P114.405 million
* Aleosan District Hospital (Alimodian) – P22 million
* Iloilo Provincial Hospital (Pototan) – P29.5 million
* Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial Hospital (Lambunao) – P11 million
* Dr. Ricardo Provido Sr. Memorial District Hospital (Calinog) – P28.350 million
*Federico Roman Tirador Sr. District Hospital (Janiuay) – P35.6 million
* Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (Cabatuan) – P14 million
* Don Valerio Palmares Sr. District Hospital (Passi City) – P13.740 million
* Ramon Duremdes District Hospital (Dumangas) – P9 million
* Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. District Hospital (Barotac Viejo) – P18 million
* Jesus Colmenares District Hospital (Balasan) – P14.620 million
* Sara District Hospital (Sara) – P120 million
With the reduced National Tax Allocation (NTA) or formerly called the Internal Revenue Allotment, the provincial government has been asking funding support from the national government through Congress.
“We continue to get support from the national government because of our benefactors; nagabulig sa aton mga legislators. For example, Sen. Sonny Angara cares for the hospitals in the province. So as a supporter of our health program, ginabuligan kita sang national budget,” said the governor./PN
