By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Sibugaynons from the different municipalities of the province gathered here on Thursday, May 8, to witness the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Zamboanga Sibugay Medical Center at Barangay Tenan this municipality.
Governor Wilter Y. Palma together with Dr. Nimfa B. Torrizo, Department of Health (DOH)-9 chief and Catholic Bishop Julius S. Tonel led the groundbreaking rites.
Palma expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support of the national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), the Philippine Army (PA), Philippine National Police (PNP), the civil society groups and the media who came to witness the activity.
In his message, Palma said that the medical center, which will soon rise in the grounds of Barangay Tenan, shall address the medical needs of the Sibugaynons.
“This Medical Center shall be known not only in this province but in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula region,” he said.
The Zamboanga Sibugay Medical Center will be a two-storey edifice which will be built on a 57,335-square meter lot.
Palma said that the laying of the time capsule, which highlighted the groundbreaking ceremonies, was the first step towards the construction of the medical center.
Mr. Roel Paloma, the province’s media officer, said “this is a dream-come-true for all Sibugaynons.”
“Medical patients with serious illness need not travel to Pagadian or Zamboanga City for their medical needs.
This medical center is the answer for the lack of good medical facility in the province,” he said.
Dr. Nimfa B. Torrizo bared that a total of P120 million has been allocated by the DOH for the phase 1 of the medical center construction.
“The original amount which was promised to Zamboanga Sibugay is P215 million but due to the calamities the country had experienced, part of the amount was taken to help our countrymen who were in need,” she explained.
She also pointed out that the medical equipment for the medical center will also be included in the DOH’s budget allocation.
The Zamboanga Sibugay Medical Center is one of the several projects promised by President Benigno S. Aquino III to the people of Sibugay.
