• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Abelardo and Remedios Bantug Memorial Hospital in Victorias City, Negros Occidental is expected to start operations next year, Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said yesterday.
In a press briefing at the Victorias City Hall, Benitez said the city government has allocated an additional P41 million budget on top of P17 million allocated last year for the hospital, formerly known as the Kaayong Lawas Foundation Hospital.
“By then, we will have a Level 1 hospital, which is fully equipped and operational by 2024,” the mayor said.
The Victorias Kaayong Lawas Foundation Inc. donated the 2,000-square meter lot and building of the Kaayong Lawas Hospital or Immaculate Conception Health Center to the city government, which paved the way for its development into a higher level health facility.
Benitez said that they will set up a dialysis center in the hospital so that Victoriahanon patients will no longer go to Bacolod City for treatment.
He added that Senator Mark Villar also assured them of P10-million financial assistance for the hospital.
Benitez said that a super health center will also soon rise at Villa Miranda.
Moreover, the master plan for the New Government Center and the design of new City Hall will be unveiled next month.
The New Government Center will house the P500-million City Hall and other infrastructures, including the P55-million evacuation center, which is now up for completion, Benitez added. | GB
