• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The construction of the Bacolod City General Hospital, which is almost complete, received an additional funding of P100 million while the Bacolod City Museum got P85 million more from the national government, Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
In a press briefing, Zubiri said the fund will be used for the finishing touches as he expects its completion by middle or end of the year.
It will then be turnover to the city government, he added.
In 2022, Zubiri facilitated the release of P500 million to start the construction of the medical facility, on top of the P200 million allocated by the Department of Health (DOH).
The senator said the city government will procure the hospital equipment.
The four-story main hospital building in Barangay Vista Alegre is being implemented by the DOH through the city government under the agency’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program while the Department of Public Works and Highways is constructing the three support buildings.
The 127-bed healthcare facility will have an emergency room, operating theater, intensive care unit, diagnostic laboratory, dental clinic, pharmacy and chapel.
The Bacolod City General Hospital is being established under Republic Act 11564, authored by then Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya and sponsored by Zubiri in the Senate.
Zubiri said he is also hoping for the completion of the Bacolod City Museum by the end of the year.
The additional fund is designated for the finishing and landscaping of the structure, which is a combination of a museum and amphitheater.
“We wanted to have a museum where locals and tourists alike can learn about and appreciate the story of Bacolod and our people. It is not just going to be about the past. This museum-auditorium will also be a place for contemporary and future artists, who continue to enrich our sense of pride and identity in Bacolod,” Zubiri said.
The Bacolod City Museum aims to create a dedicated space for preserving the history, culture, and arts of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
It is designed to serve as a hub for both local and tourist appreciation, showcasing the talents of Negrense artists.
At least P1.1 billion has already been allocated for the two mega projects in the city. | GB
