Mayor eyes Lapaz lot for P159-M Iloilo City Hospital

Mayor Jerry Treñas (third from left) visits the proposed acquisition site for the planned construction of the city hospital at Brgy. Hinactacan, La Paz, Iloilo City. (Photo by Arnold Almacen/CMO)

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The Iloilo City government plans to put up a P159-million Iloilo City Hospital at Brgy. Hinactacan in La Paz district.

Mayor Jerry Treñas and other city government personnel inspected the proposed site on Thursday.

“Maayo man kag matawhay ang lugar. We are looking at utilizing the one to one and a half hectares of lot,” Treñas said.

According to the mayor, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas already committed to help in the construction of the city hospital.

“They already committed to help us and for our part we will soon look for personnel who will man the hospital,” he said.

The mayor said they aim to complete the construction of the Iloilo City Hospital within his term.

“We already had a briefing with the DOH-6 for the establishment of the City Hospital. They will start with the building construction as soon as we secure the lot requirement. We will then consider the needed equipment and even expansion later on,” he said.

He underscored the need for the city to have its own hospital in order to cater the health needs of the residents.

Gusto ta gid nga mapadayon ina kay para sa akon bisan masugod kita sa gamay amat-amat daw ti-on na gidman nga kinahanglan makabutang man ospital ang siyudad para sa pumuluyo sang siyudad,” he added.

The hospital was among the priority projects of Treñas that he promised during the campaign period.

With an initial cost of P159 million, the Level 1 hospital will have a 50-bed capacity and will be managed by around 30 personnel.