THE Provincial Government of Iloilo has donated two of its lots located in Barangay Bolong Oeste, Sta. Barbara, for the proposed construction of regional offices of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas.
Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. signed the memorandum of agreement and conditional deed of donations for Lots 505 and 502 in favor of PhilHealth and DOH during the recent visit of Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial in Iloilo City.
“The consent of the Provincial Government to donate part of its property in Sta. Barbara to PhilHealth and DOH is just a manifestation of our concern for the health of our people… I’m sure that the establishment of appropriate regional offices will improve and strengthen the capability, availability and efficiencies of these agencies,” said Defensor.
The Provincial Board gave Defensor the authority to sign the memorandum of agreement and conditional deed of donations through Resolution 2017-376, which was passed on June 20.
Lot 505, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title 20381 for PhilHealth, contains an area of 2,219 square meters, while Lot 502, which is covered by Transfer Certificate of Title 11349 for DOH, has an area of 7,704 square meters.
The donations are conditioned that the properties shall be for the exclusive use of PhilHealth and DOH regional offices and in event that the said agencies will no longer use the property for the intended purpose, the lots ownership will automatically revert back to the Province.
PhilHealth Regional Vice President Lourdes Diocson recognized Defensor’s strong support to PhilHealth and his pursuit for inclusive healthcare.
“We are lacking in words to express our extreme gratitude to the Province, especially to the governor. This will not only benefit the Ilonggos but the whole of Western Visayas,” Diocson said.
Ubial was also grateful of the governor’s generosity, granting that the existing regional office of DOH has been squatting in the property of Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
“With this, we can finally say that DOH has a place in Western Visayas,” said Ubial, adding they will work immediately in building their regional office. (Jezza Nepomoceno)