Thursday, August 09, 2007 Cebu guv admits NegOr hospital better that V. Sotto By Edmund Sestoso
CEBU Governor Gwen Garcia admitted that the existing Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital in Cebu City paled in comparison with the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City.
Garcia’s remarks were made during a joint press conference together with Negros Oriental Governor Emilio Macias II Wednesday morning held at the conference room of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.
The Cebu governor’s remarks were also made on the basis of the existing infrastructure and the availability of medical facilities and rooms for specialized medical concerns.
Garcia said she is getting the support from Governor Macias on the pushing for devolving the operations of the Vicente Sotto Hospital to the local government units.
Devolution of such facilities is provided under the existing Local Government Code.
Garcia who was toured to the hospital was impressed as to its infrastructure and facilities and the way the Provincial Government is running its operations.
With what she saw, she said inspires her to push for the devolution of the hospital services of Cebu province from the clutches of the National Government.
However, Garcia’s plan was met with protests from the hospital personnel who fear possible job dislocation.
She said the fear was unfounded because the Department of Health had already assured several medical personnel that once it is devolved they will still continue to work under the National Government set-up.
Cebu province has no single provincial hospital while Sotto hospital is classified as a regional hospital funded by the National Government.
The Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital was once under the Department of Health, but had been devolved and is now run by the Negros Oriental Provincial Government.
Garcia’s visit to the province is part of familiarizing herself at how a provincial hospital run by the local government unit has been effectively operated for several years now.
She is accompanied by several members of the Cebu Provincial Board and provincial health officials.
The Cebu governor since Wednesday has been to several tourist sites in the province including the famous Lake Balanan in Siaton town, Negros Oriental.
