Hospital building eyed for dormitory conversion

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is eyeing to convert the annex building of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital into a dormitory for relatives or helpers of patients, especially those from out of town.

Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said this is why the provincial government is currently negotiating with the management of the CLMMH Corazon on the possible use of its annex building.

“We are strengthening our legal basis to support our claim that it is a property of the provincial government,” the governor said.

Both the provincial government and CLMMRH are claiming ownership of the property.

The governor said he is optimistic that they will reach an agreement with the CLMMRH so they can perhaps share the use of the building.

The building was previously used by the University of St. La Salle for its College of Medicine.

Relatives or commonly called “watchers” who have patients in the hospital are often seen sleeping outside the CLMMRH along Lacson Street as hospital management has implemented a policy where no one is allowed entry to its premises.

The scene has been a cause of concern for the public and government officials are finding ways to provide shelter for their constituents who accompany their patients admitted at the health facility.

Some local governments rented boarding houses near the CLMMRH while Bacolod City provided temporary shelter for their constituents.

Among those who rented a house near the hospital where watchers could stay is 5th District Representative Atty. Dino  Yulo.

He said the rented house is for his constituents from the towns of Moises Padilla, Binalbagan, La Castellana, Isabela, Hinigaran, and the city of Himamaylan.