The provincial government of Iloilo is due to receive P595.615 million from the national government for the upgrading and improvement of its 13 provincial and district hospitals.
The budget came from the 2023 General Appropriations Act and is lodged under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health.
It is 50.55-percent higher than the P395.615 million fund requested by the province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. expressed his gratitude to Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, whom he credited for facilitating the grant of the fund request of the province.
Angara also previously facilitated a grant of the P121.029 million for the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) program of the provincial government.
Of the total P595.615-million budget, P487.500 million was allotted for infrastructure projects and P108.115 million for the purchase of equipment.
The breakdown of the assistance are as follows:
1. Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital (Guimbal) – P165.4 million
2. San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital (San Joaquin) – P114.405 million
3. Aleosan District Hospital (Alimodian) – P22 million
4. Iloilo Provincial Hospital (Pototan) – P29.5 million
5. Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial Hospital (Lambunao) – P11 million
6. Dr. Ricardo Provido Sr. Memorial District Hospital (Calinog) – P28.350 million
7. Federico Roman Tirador Sr. District Hospital (Janiuay) – P35.6 million
8. Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (Cabatuan) – P14 million
9. Don Valerio Palmares Sr. District Hospital (Passi City) – P13.740 million
10. Ramon Duremdes District Hospital (Dumangas) – P9 million
11. Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. District Hospital (Barotac Viejo) – P18 million
12. Jesus Colmenares District Hospital (Balasan) P14.620 million
13. Sara District Hospital (Sara) – P120 million
The Iloilo provincial government continues to expand its hospital system to provide comprehensive health care services that are accessible and affordable to patients.
It embarks on the enhancement of its structures and services within the provincial health network in compliance with the Universal Health Care Law.
It also is upgrading its authorized beds to reach 80 to 85 percent in line with the national target of the Department of Health.
Soon, the Iloilo Provincial Hospital will be upgraded to a Level II facility while the Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital and Sara District Hospital are being gradually capacitated to become Level II hospitals by the year 2025.
This initiative is geared towards ensuring higher level of medical care in the northern and southern parts of the province.
Hospital laboratories are also being equipped with diagnostic services that match with those of tertiary level facilities. Facilities are being upgraded to comply with the DOH licensing requirements. (LHC/Capitol news)
