NEGROS Occidental 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco B. Benitez, Victorias City Mayor Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and Councilors Abelardo Bantug III and Francis Frederick “Derek” Palanca led the ground breaking of a site that will house the P20 million Veterinary Hospital in Brgy. XIV on August 14.
The said facility will not only cater to veterinary procedures but will serve as the training ground of future veterinary students in the Negros Island.
The Vet Hospital was conceptualized to support the flourishing livestock industry and Agri-Eco Tourism Program aligned in ASENSO thrust of the administration.
The establishment of the hospital will likewise provide the needed assistance to the province being the leading producer of gamefowls and backyard level swine and native chicken in the country, based on the 2017 data from the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Present during the program were Central Philippines State University (CPSU) President Aladino Moraca; CPSU Victorias City Campus School Administrator Noel Fordente and City Planning and Development Officer Evangeline Alo.
City Engineer Mary Jean Majaducon, City Communication and Information Office Head Joy Famini, City Agriculturist Samson Garzon and Froilan Juntilla from the City Veterinary Office together with project stakeholders also witnessed the groundbreaking.
During the program, the hospital building perspective was unveiled followed by the signing of documents and laying of the time capsule.
Mayor Palanca expressed his gratitude to the City’s project partners and shared future plans for the facility that will make way for the provision of better and quality service to Victoriahanons and its neighboring towns and municipalities in the region.
He said that everyone has the task to do his best to ensure the success in food security, technical development, finance, education and governance, in every aspect of our lives.
CPSU President Aladino Moraca shared the activities undertaken by the City’s partner institution including the Veterinary Medicine course which will be offered at CPSU Victorias Campus.
Students taking up Veterinary Medicine will have their practicum at the laboratory of the new medical facility once operational.
Congressman Benitez has congratulated Victorias City’s renewal of being a center for food security nationally and internationally.
He said the groundbreaking of the hospital would help increase the intensity of the efforts in food security in a time of the pandemic as the hospital will provide service and the school will provide research.
Councilor Abelardo Bantug III thanked everyone for the support and cooperation and looked forward to the full operation of the City’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
The 10M budget will be allocated for the building while another 10M will be used for the purchase of equipment and facilities.