Probing the failed Nicolo reassignment

By Herbert Vego

THIS corner lauds the Iloilo Provincial Board for its resolution expressing full support for Dr. Joseph Dean Nicolo, chief of the Western Visayas Medical Center, who could have been reassigned to a smaller hospital in Zamboanga due to a politician’s interference.

The resolution, authored by Board Member Rolando Distura, cited numerous awards received by Dr. Nicolo.

Board Member Rolex Suplico has filed a separate resolution urging all public officials to refrain from meddling in WVMC’s operations, particularly in bidding and procurement processes.

Dr. Nicolo was a recipient of the Gold Trailblazer Award from the Department of Health (DOH).

The Gold Trailblazer Award is the highest recognition in the Performance Governance System (PGS) for government institutions. The award signifies a consistent commitment to excellence and the successful integration of public service principles into the agency’s operations.

In that case, why did DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa issue an administrative order (dated August 29, 2025) to transfer Nicolo from WVMC to Labuan General Hospital (LGH) in Zamboanga City, which is tantamount to a subtle demotion?

Labuan is a level 1 hospital that offers only basic medical services, while WVMC is level 3 with comprehensive and specialized tertiary care, advanced diagnostic facilities, and treatments like dialysis and physical rehabilitation.

It is already public knowledge that Herbosa’s move had been preceded by an Ilonggo congresswoman’s alleged request to kick Nicolo out of Iloilo.

Fortunately, the DOH head rescinded his order on September 12, 2025, thus preventing its implementation.

Was it Herbosa’s knee-jerk reaction to  rumors that the lady solon had tried to ask, but in vain, for a ₱53 million “commission” from the two contractors who had built two “care center” buildings within the hospital compound at a combined cost of ₱800 million on the pretext of sharing it with Dr. Nicolo?

Dr. Nicolo had allegedly denied her pretext.

It puzzles us that Dr. Nicolo has until now refrained from naming the congresswoman he had “spurned,” which is clearly unfair to the other three Iloilo congresswomen.

The two contractors behind the construction of the Cancer Center and the Heart and Lung Center at WVMC – identified only as “Encabo” and “Gurrea” – have likewise refused to name her. Does she possess an ace against them?

An informant who refuses to be identified believes that the two buildings are made of substandard materials.

Ayaw kong maniwala.

Say n’yo, Ka Rolex and Ka Lando?

-oOo-

BFP, MORE POWER FOUGHT FIRE IN TANDEM

THE fire that razed five neighboring houses on Jalandoni Street in Jaro, Iloilo City at 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. yesterday could have gone worse without collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the city’s distribution utility, MORE Electric and Power Corporation.

The site of the fire being densely populated, it was hazardous for firemen to spray water without the corresponding presence of MORE Power Line Warriors (linemen), since water is a conductor of electricity.

On arriving at the scene, linemen immediately isolated a portion of secondary line just as firemen were bracing to turn on their water cannons.

MORE Power is equipped with automatic circuit reclosers (ACRs) that detect faults and shut off power.

The company is also active in educating customers on electrical fire safety, such as avoiding overloaded circuits and replacing damaged cords; and in encouraging the public to report downed lines or other electrical hazards that could lead to a fire.