THE declaration of a state of calamity on dengue is being recommended by Bacolod City Representative Anthony Golez so that the city can mobilize resources from the five-percent calamity fund as well as tap the National Government's assistance in addressing the problem.
Golez made the statement during his visit to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital (CLMRH) Friday where he extended assistance to all dengue patients by providing them free dextrose, complete blood count (CBC) and some medicines.
Per hospital records, there were 1,173 patients admitted at the hospital due to dengue and there were 11 deaths caused by dengue at the CLMRH from January to August 2010.
Golez, who is the senior vice chairman of the congressional committee on health, personally saw the increase in the number of dengue patients in the city and in the province. He also saw for himself the congestion at CLMRH.
At one of the wards filled with dengue patients, Golez who is also a medical practitioner, personally witnessed the doctors' efforts to revive a 14-year-old girl from Banago. Unfortunately, the girl died due to an internal bleeding caused by dengue.
Golez also expressed concern over the congestion at the hospital, where even the alleys are occupied and some patients lie either in folding beds or in long plastic chairs.
The hospital actually has only a 200-bed capacity but the number of patients everyday reaches 600.
Golez committed that he will push to for the expansion of the hospital's capacity to 500 beds. He also promised to work on measures which will empower the barangay health centers to cater to minor illnesses.
He added that he is also working with the Department of Health for the modernization of the CLMRH. Such modernization will cost approximately P400 million, he stated.
Moreover, Golez is also working for PhilHealth insurance coverage for the city's indigent residents so that their health needs will be properly addressed.
Aside from the hospital visit, the congressman conducted an ocular visit to several of his infrastructure projects in Bacolod City.
He first visited the bridge at Pahanocoy, which will be widened and the roads leading to it be concreted. This can help decongest traffic during peak hours, as most out of town vehicles and those residing in the area and nearby places pass this bridge. Traffic bottle necks usually occur in the area every afternoon.
Golez likewise visited a road-widening project in Sum-ag. The National Government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways, will implement the asphalting while funding for the project from the International Monetary Fund-World Bank is still being worked out.
The location of the flyover project at the intersection of Magsaysay-Araneta was also inspected by Golez.
He said that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) is being worked out now with the City Government of Bacolod and, hopefully, the project can be implemented soon.
DPWH Secretary Emil Sadain had already signed the MOA for the project but Mayor Leonardia has not yet signed it because he still needs to get the authority from the City Council to do so.
Bacolod will have two flyover projects located in Magsaysay-Araneta and Bata-Circumferential Road. Each flyover project will cost P384 million.
Golez revived these projects after DPWH suspended its implementation in the past.