NEW CITY HEALTH CENTER UNDER CONSTRUCTION

            The new La Carlota City Health Center is now under construction after a groundbreaking ceremony held August 5, 2008.  The two-story building, estimated at a cost of P16,041,092.092 is expected to be finished by December this year and fully operational by January, 2009.  It is situated behind the current City Health Office fronting Jereza Street.  The contractor is HDC Corporation of Metro Manila.

            Mayor Demie John C. Honrado and Vice Mayor David T. Baga, Jr. led the ground-breaking rites together with Luis J. Jalandoni III, Rosalinda L. Aguirre, Julian M. Chiang, Zaldy C. Pernito, Ruel G. Alvañez, Ciriaco D. Sir, Jr., Jacob E. Liansing, Jose Luis Miguel Solomon C. Sicangco IV, Jeffrey E. Rumbines, and Jose Leonel G. Bugante.

            The project was initiated last August, 2007 and financed by the LOGO-FIND World Bank which will extend a grant of P8M or one-half of the total cost, P2.4 in equity, and the counterpart of the local government is P5.6M. With the improvement of this health facility Mayor Honrado is optimistic that health outreach and services, particularly to the financially disadvantages and underprivileged sectors will be expanded.  Health Services is a consistent priority concern of the administration, he said, and the city officials are always exploring sources of funding for projects to benefit the general constituents.

            The mayor also commended the Sangguniang Panlungsod for its efforts, particularly SPM Jeffrey E. Rumbines, chair of the Committee on Health;  the technical working group led by City Engineer Joseph V. Emboltorio, and HDC Eng’r. Hermando de la Cruz, the project builder.

            When finished the new CHC will have 16 rooms/offices on the ground floor and 13 on the second.  It has commodious working areas and ample spaces to accommodate patients and visitors alike.

            The department heads who attended the affair were City Admin. Jerico D. Jalandoni, Ursula H. Tabieros – Budget Officer, Edgardo G. Canlas – Exec. Asst.- Agric., Julia Uy – CSWDO, Ismael Salvacion – Exec. Asst.-Sports, Jose Victor E. Romay – Tourism Officer, Dr. Erwina Frances B. Jalandoni – CHO, and Arch. Lee M. Debulgado – CPDO.

            Barangay captains were Jose Luis A. Jalandoni – Brgy. I, Erlinda B. Domingo – Brgy. II, Annabelle Q. Bermudo – Brgy. III, Oliver Ignacio – Brgy. Ayungon, and Nanette P Escarsa – Brgy. La Granja.

            Special guests were Mrs. Lydia P. Ferrer, mother of Cong. Jeffrey P. Ferrer, AALCPI Gen Mgr. Abelardo R. Jalandoni, DepEd officials headed by Dr. Roberto P. Villaruz – Schools Division Supt., Dr. Aquino Torrefranca and Ernesto Tampo – Dist. Supervisors, Dr. Fatima G. Bullos – LCCC OIC, Dr. Bernadita Cabreros also of LCCC, and Norberto Baculna – GM – LCCWD.

            Resolution No. 2008-0109 passed by the Sanguine Panlungsod on August 1, 2008 authorized Mayor Honrado to sign for and in behalf of the City Government the agreement for the contruction of the CHC with the HDC Corporation.  It was unanimously approved by the 10 members present.