North hospital put under question

The Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Taytay was put under criticism when first district Board Member Gil Acosta questioned the structure during the Provincial Board’s regular session June 8.

The hospital, which was funded with P100 million from the province’s Malampaya money and inaugurated only last month, was still not in operation and already has damages, according to Acosta.

He even showed pictures of gravel piled in front of the hospital’s entrance and part of the pavement which was slightly raised from the ground.

“I hope our money would not be wasted with this hospital,” Acosta said, adding that the local finance committee should appear before the Board for questioning.

“We should conduct an investigation on this matter for us to know if the contractor was already paid,” Acosta pointed. He said he did not know the contractor of the project but heard that it was BCT Trading and Construction although he said he had to check it.

Board Member Edmundo Balerite, a Taytay resident, agreed that an investigation should be done. He claimed, however, that he had not seen the hospital since its inauguration.

“The building itself was already completed (with equipment) but the pavement is not yet finished,” Balerite said.

Acosta also raised concerns with the location of the hospital, which was erected near a hill. He pointed that a landslide might occur, posing danger to hospital patients and staff.

Vice-Gov. David Ponce de Leon, on the other hand, stressed that it was the local government unit of Taytay who chose the location.

The one-hectare land where the hospital stands was originally owned by Taytay incoming mayor Evelyn Rodriguez but had already donated it to the Provincial Government.

“The choice of the hospital site was the decision of the local government of Taytay. They were the ones who chose it,” Ponce de Leon pointed.

Board Member Vicky de Guzman, on the other hand, encouraged the Provincial Environmental Officer to come up with a geo-hazard map of Palawan “to make sure that infrastructure projects are constructed in safe areas.”

The Provincial Engineering Officer, Provincial Health Officer, Provincial Environmental Officer, municipal officials of Taytay and the contractor are due for questioning next week.