• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez has welcomed the proposal of the Department of Health (DOH) to make the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital (MJMDH) in Sipalay City as an annex facility of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH).
“For MJMDH, this transition opens new possibilities. It will continue to grow into a more responsive and capable facility — one that can serve not only general medical needs but also address the quiet and urgent need for mental health services in the area,” Alvarez said.
The lawmaker recalled that she raised such possibility to DOH during the 2026 budget deliberations.
“I raised a simple but important idea: to make better use of our existing district hospitals by linking them with higher-level regional hospitals. At the heart of this is not only improving basic services, but also ensuring that mental health care becomes more accessible to our people,” Alvarez said.
The Bacolod City-based CLMMRH is the apex hospital of the DOH in Negros Island Region (NIR).
DOH-NIR Director Razel Nikka Hao has sought the support of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for the proposal, which aims to improve access to medical services for residents of Sipalay and nearby communities.
Lacson said he would give the proposal a serious thought.
“I think it’s a good idea,” he said.
Alvarez said she is deeply grateful to Lacson for his openness and support.
“His willingness to work collaboratively reflects a shared commitment to do what is best for our people,” she said.
Alvarez said she will carefully study and work on the legislative measures needed to support and sustain the initiative and ensure that the partnership can grow stronger and continue to serve the communities in the long term. | GB
