GOVERNOR Arthur Defensor Sr. led the groundbreaking for the new Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas office in Barangay Bolong Oeste, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, on May 9.

Defensor initiated the donation of the Provincial Government lot where the DOH regional office will rise. The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will also build its regional office there soon.

The donation was sealed in August last year during the time of then Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial.

In his message during the program, Defensor said: “The centerpiece of my governorship is health. I would want to see the province of Iloilo addressing properly, satisfactorily and adequately all the health needs and concerns of the people of the province. This is a dream come true. This will go a long way in addressing the needs of the people in so far as health is concerned.”

DOH-Western Visayas Director Marlyn Concovar expressed gratitude to the generosity of the Iloilo Provincial Government for donating a piece of property that will strengthen the efficiency of services of these agencies.

The groundbreaking and the unveiling of the new DOH Regional Office VI Building perspective are now indications that the construction of the building will commence very soon.

Once completed, Convocar said, the DOH will no longer squat in the property of Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The two lot areas of more than 9,000 square meters donated by Iloilo Provincial Government is envisioned to house not only the new DOH and Philhealth buildings but also the offices of the National Nutrition Commission and the Population Commission.

Also present during the groundbreaking ceremony were DOH-Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas, Sta. Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, and Provincial Legal Officer Dennis Ventilacion. (PR)