Defensor seeks SP approval on P500-M loan for hospitals
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has sought the authority of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the province to avail of a P500-million grant-loan for the upgrading of hospitals from the Municipal Development Fund Office specifically from its Health Sector Reform Agenda Support Programme and the Program Lending Loan Package.
The amount will be used to finance various health infrastructure and policy reform programs of the 12 district hospitals of the province.
The governor in his letter to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said: “Specifically, the loan-grant package of P400 million shall be used to finance health infrastructure for the upgrading of four district hospitals, namely, Iloilo Provincial Hospital, Sara District Hospital, Guimbal District Hospital and Ramon Tabiana District Hospital (Cabatuan), from Level 3 to Level 2 (tertiary).”
“The P100 million shall be allocated for the health policy reform programs focusing among others on the computerization of the health systems/operations,” he added.
Defensor met with board members and concerned department heads yesterday to further discuss the plan.
The governor, who has identified the health sector as among his priorities, said he wants to upgrade and improve all the district hospitals so that these can really serve the poor people in the province.
He said the district hospitals should not only serve as transit points for patients to be brought to Iloilo City.*
