TACLOBAN CITY – The national government has set aside P85 million for the emergency repair of hospitals and rural health units damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda in the region.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said their priorities are not just hospitals, but health facilities established in local government units.
“This is just an initial allocation. We have enough funds to rebuild all aspects of health programs affected by the storm,” Ona told reporters.
The Department of Health is now reviewing all needs, taking into account financial aids from the private sector and international humanitarian organizations.
Health Regional Director Jose Llacuna dubbed the project as “quick fix” where their main concern is the repair of partially damaged state-owned hospitals and health centers.
“We just have to make it functional by putting roofings, fixing windows and doors, and re-install vital equipments,” Llacuna said.
On February 18, the DOH signed an agreement with mayors of recipient local government units. The national government did not ask cash-strapped municipalities to put up their counterparts in the emergency repair initiative.
“This is a very welcome development for us since local governments have no budget to repair health centers damaged by the typhoon. Our priority now is to provide food and shelter to displaced families,” said Tanauan, Leyte Mayor Pelagio Tecson.
The “quick fix” initiative will benefit 34 towns in Leyte, nine towns in Eastern Samar, three towns in Samar and two towns in Biliran.
The P85 million is on top of the P1.2 billion budget approved for rehabilitation of destroyed health facilities in the three Visayas regions.
“By 2015, we hope to complete the construction of bigger, better and safer health facilities,” Llacuna added.
The official said international groups have committed to build hospitals and health centers in Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Dulag Mayorga, all in Leyte and Lawaan, Eastern Samar.
The DOH has reported that about P1.2 billion of health facilities and equipment were destroyed by the massive typhoon. Of this, P702.76 million was recorded for health facilities and P274.86 million for equipment.
The DOH reported that 1,229 facilities were destroyed by fierce winds and storm surges. About 219 are not functional and 233 are completely damaged.
Of the 1,229 damaged facilities, 991 are barangay health stations, 153 rural health units, 68 locally-managed hospitals, seven city or district health centers, six retained hospitals, three private hospitals and a municipal health office. (SARWELL Q MENIANO)
