• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Department of Health-Negros Island Region has proposed a P300 million allocation in 2027 for the ongoing construction of the Bacolod City General Hospital (BCGH) even as it awaits the downloading of the P100 million approved under the General Appropriations Act this year for Phase 4 of the infra project.
The P100 million allocated under the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program will be for the completion of the BCGH’s ground floor and continuation of the main building scope, including site development and provision of support facilities, like the power and pump houses.
Per documents from the DOH-NIR during the City Development Council (CDC) executive committee meeting Feb. 10 at the Bacolod Government Center, Phase 1 of the BCGH in 2022 was allotted P250 million for earthworks, structural and masonry works; Phase 2, with P50 million allocation in 2023, is ongoing; and Phase 3 in 2025 has a budget of P30 million and awaiting the release of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO).
In the proposed 2027 Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs) of the DOH-NIR for the BCGH, the P300 million shall be for the completion of the ground floor main building, construction of support facilities, and provision of permanent electrical connection with auxiliary and mechanical works.
Remaining works include the completion of the second and third floors, and roof deck, as well as site development plan, including perimeter fence, roadways, parking area, and drainages, the DOH-NIR said.
The CDC has endorsed the DOH-NIR 2027 PAPs, per Resolution 01-2026, and approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its session Feb. 19.
The 127-bed BCGH in Barangay Vista Alegre will feature facilities, like the departments for OB-Gyn, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, an outpatient department, an emergency room, an operating room, an intensive care unit, a pharmacy, dental clinic, a chapel, and a diagnostic laboratory.
Mayor Greg Gasataya is the principal author of Republic Act 11564, or the BCGH law, when he was congressman of the Lone District of Bacolod.
RA 11564, approved on June 24, 2021 by then president Rodrigo Duterte, seeks the establishment of the BCGH, with initial funding of P600 million in the 2022 General Appropriations Act.
The BCGH will be turned over to the city government for its management and operation, and is seen to enhance and provide healthcare coverage and services for Bacolodnons and Negrenses. | CGC
