TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region is tasked to implement P178.1 million worth of projects under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH), in Eastern Visayas.
Edgar Tabacon, DPWH regional director, informed that HFEP is a government initiative aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure in the Philippines, focusing on the construction, upgrading, and expansion of public healthcare facilities across the country.
He further informed that a total of 14 projects funded by the national government through GAA 2024 will be implemented by the DPWH regional office through a collaborative effort under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DOH.
Based on the MOA of said agencies, the DPWH-8 will be constructing 11 new super health centers, each with a budget allocation of P12 million.
Of the 11 new health centers, four will be located in Leyte, one in Biliran; and two each in Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte.
According to Tabacon, three super health centers are now implementation ready and ongoing, respectively located in Cabucgayan, Biliran, Babatngon, and Leyte, Leyte.
These centers once completed, will serve as a one-stop-shop for patients, offering comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive care, outpatient services, and diagnostic facilities, particularly in underserved areas.
Also included in the DPWH RO8-DOH MOA are the repair for the existing facilities in Hilongos, Leyte and in the San Vicente rural health unit in Northern Samar, each with P10 million budget allocation, and repair or rehabilitation works for the Basey District Hospital with P26.1 million budget allocation.
Tabacon added that the enhancement of health facilities in region 8 through the HFEP, is part of a broader initiative of the government to improve healthcare accessibility and quality across the nation.
Through collaborative efforts of both agencies, health facilities are guaranteed to be in accordance with the right quality standards, investing on strong and resilient infrastructures where excellent health care are offered to every Filipino.
(LIZBETH ANN A ABELLA)
