City Health Center:  New Crown of Achievement for Administration

           The blessing and turn-over of the new City Health Center took place on February 25, 2009 with Cong. Jeffrey P. Ferrer – 4th Dist. Neg. Occ., Gov Isidro P. Zayco, Mayor Demie John C. Honrado and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod leading the landmark occasion.  The new health facility was accomplished through the cooperative efforts of the local government unit the LOGOFIND and the World Bank.

            Congressman Ferrer cited the invaluable project that will provide basic health care and services locally as it is costly to have patients confined in Bacolod City.  He also emphasized that he who has health has hope;  he who has hope has everything.

            The solon continued that “it is lamentable, however, that despite the incontrovertible advantage of having a health center that could operate as a mini-hospital right here in our city, a lot of negative remarks are still spread against this project.”

            “Some say that this project is tainted with anomalies.  But thanks to the unwavering strong political will of our city leaders that made this project what it is today.  We wish to emphasize that this project is being funded by the City Government of La Carlota and LOGOFIND-World Bank and is being closely monitored by the said financial institution from its inception or planning stage to the time of its final completion.  All the procurement and construction procedures had been religiously followed.  Even how strict and sensitive to even the smallest details, nothing irregular or anomalous was ever reported by the said institution.”

            “Others say that this project would bury our city deeper into the pit of indebtedness.  This remark merely manifests the ignorance of these negative critics with the facts behind this project.  They failed to realize, or perhaps intentionally ignore, the fact that a substantial amount of the cost of this project is a grant from the LOGOFIND-World Bank and not a full loan.”

            “To our esteemed Hon. Mayor Demie John C. Honrado, Hon Vice Mayor David T. Baga, Jr. and Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of La Carlota, don’t be dishearted or discouraged with these negative critics.  I for one, had likewise been made victim of these unfounded negative critisms.  My development projects – the Agora Market Annex Building and Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School Gymnasium were criticized to had been tainted with irregularities.  But as I have said earlier, it’s our clear conscience and the political will that pushed us to pursue the completion of our priority infrastructure projects.”

            “If we scrutinize the personality of these negative critics, however, they are either people who practically know nothing about the impact of infrastructure facilities to our people.  They are the people who had served or are serving our city as public officials for sometime but had done practically nothing for the development of our city.  Nahisa lang ina sila kay kita ya, sa malip-ot lamang nga panahon nakapakita na sang daku nga kauswagan diri sa aton syudad.”

            “Availing or credit facilities is a regular, appropriate and at times, even recommended method to accomplish a project, most especially infrastructure projects, for as long as it is intensively and extensively studied to be financially viable.”

            “Indeed, to avail of credit facilities could give immediate realization of whatever noble project we intend to pursue provided it is done with prudence and appropriate financial and economic study for its viability.  Of course, there is always a risk involved as no one has the total control of future events.  It is necessary, therefore, that government administrators must have the political will, the guts to take the risks that may be involved to put up the needed developmental projects to best serve the interests and welfare of its constituents.”

            In his acceptance message,  Mayor Honrado acknowledged the New City Health Center as the latest crown of achievement for the administration.  He said that “much is owed to and we fully recognize the timeless contribution of many to realize the facility.”  He also recognized the invaluable financial assistance of the LOGOFIND and the World Bank;  and expressed gratitude to Cong. Jeffrey P. Ferrer for his encouragement and interest to see that the building is done as scheduled.  Furthermore,  the chief executive lauded Gov. Isidro P. Zayco and the provincial officials for acknowledging that something worthy and beneficial is being done for the people of La Carlota City.  He also commended SP member Jeffrey E. Rumbines for his painstaking efforts in every phase of the building.

            The mayor also said a word of advice to the critics of the administration to “bridle their mouths or rein in your disparaging motivation from proliferating, as the administration will not be stopped or hindered in uplifting the progress of the city.”

            To the CHO personnel, Mayor Honrado expressed that they will espouse a new sense of dedication, and in extending professional services, the end in view is to save lives through unselfish labor of love.

            The mayor then accepted the symbolic key to the building from Engr. Gabby Guilas who represented Engr. Hermando A. de la Cruz, president of HDC Corporation, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod who joined the turn-over rites were Luis J. Jalandoni III, Rosalinda L. Aguirre, Julian M. Chiang, Ruel G. Alvañez, Zaldy C. Pernito, Ciriaco D. Sia, Jr., Jose Luis Miguel Solomon C. Sicangco IV, Jacob E. Liansing, Jose Leonel G. Bugante, and Erwin B. Ponce, Jr.

            Heads of offices who attended were Jerico D. Jalandoni, Homer Q. Bermudo, Neda J. Jamosale, Ursula H. Tabieros, Lee M. Debulgado, Rommel Tam, Dr. Erwina Frances B. Jalandoni, Gloria Alfeche, P/CI David Cachumbo, Fire Marshal Rodel Legspi, Donairy Sitchon-BJMP, Sonia Delgado, Dr. Fatima G. Bullos, and Edgardo G. Canlas.

            Barangay captains present were Annabelle Q. Bermudo, Juanito Dionisio, Joel Senares, Benson Pilar, Joel Rumbines, Leoni Mieh Salvador, Oliver A. Ignacio, Rudy T. Jimenez, Jose Luis Jalandoni, Nanette P. Escarsa, and Francisco D. Oplas.  The DepEd delegation and the city employees from the different departments were also given due recognation as well as Mrs. Lydia P. Ferrer, president of the Retired Public School Teachers’ Assn.