By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - The city council here has recently approved the passage of the city’s 2015 budget, Vice Mayor Horacio Velasco announced during the Christmas party of the city government officials and employees at the Plaza Magsaysay this city.
Mayor Evelyn T. Uy recommended to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) the passage of the proposed 2015 annual budget in the amount of P978.5 million to fast track the implementation of various development projects in the city.
Aside from the city annual budget, Velasco also reported the enactment of an ordinance establishing the Corazon C. Aquino Hospital governing its operations as well as the fees for the use of its services and facilities.
A consultation was earlier held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod to iron out certain issues and concerns regarding the hospital operations with the officers and members of the Dipolog Medical Society, Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center chief of hospital, Philhealth representative, City Health Officer, city councilors and barangays chairmen from the city’s 21 barangays in attendance.
According to Dr. Romelo Vergara, Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center chief, it would be better to upgrade the said hospital from level 1 to be level 2 accreditation of the Department of Health (DOH) to be able to avail of more hospital benefits.
Level 1 accreditation is done by the DOH-9 regional office in Zamboanga City while the level 2 accreditation will be done by the DOH-Central Office in Manila.
It was also agreed that the chief of hospital who oversees its operation will be under the control of the board of directors.
Moreover, City Councilor Jasmin Pinsoy also presented the different services that the new hospital would offer including hospital charges and rates.
Pinsoy said she would bring all inputs generated during the consultation to the plenary of the city council for further study and deliberation.
The Corazon C. Aquino Hospital is scheduled to have its soft-opening this month.