• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Oriental provincial government and the Dumaguete City government are at odds with each other on the proposed construction of the eight-storey Negros Oriental Medical City in the provincial capital.
In a statement, the province led by Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria expressed its plan to expand the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) through the establishment of a modern 400-bed health care facility.
The expansion aims to address complaints on overcrowded conditions, shortage of hospital beds, inadequate Intensive Care Unit and operating rooms, among others.
However, the proposal has been met with opposition from the executive leadership of Dumaguete because it supposedly exceeds the city zoning ordinance limit of three storeys for structures within the compound, according to the provincial government.
“This objection is flimsy since the Dumaguete City government previously allowed the erection of four-storey NOPH Central Block building. More importantly, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has issued a clearance for the Medical City’s construction that it will not pose any danger to airplanes and the flying public,” it added.
The Dumaguete City government, however, asserted that it cannot be issued a permit for its construction.
The provincial government said the objection is also undermined by the clearance the city has issued to the construction of high-rise buildings such as the 11-storey Hotel Savil, the 13-storey Hotel Lokai, and the 10-storey MCenter Dumaguete Medical Center building.
“It is difficult to understand why a local government unit (LGU), like Dumaguete City, would strongly oppose such an endeavor that is much needed by the marginalized sectors of the community,” the provincial government said.
It also said the city government disregards the fact that the great majority of underprivileged people, who seek free medical assistance at the NOPH are residents not only of other LGUs in the province, but also of Dumaguete City.” | GB
