LAGAWE, Ifugao- – The new Ifugao General Hospital (IGH) is targeted to start operation next year.
This was announced by Board Member Josel Guyguyon, chairman of the Committee on Health, Sanitation, Drug and Other Related Substances , after they conducted an ocular inspection of the new IGH edifices last November 25 together with Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano, Provincial Health Officer Priscilla Pagada, Provincial Engineer Julian Dulawan Jr. a representative from the Department of Health and a representative from the contractor,Bugani Construction, Inc.
The team inspected and assessed the Medical Arts Building, Dietary Building, Maintenance Building, Watcher’s House and the power house which form Phase 3 of the IGH project. They found these almost complete. The main building though is still undergoing retrofitting. Phase 3 has a budget of P72 million.
The new IGH was funded by the DOH under its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) that began Phase 1 construction in 2011 costing P50 million and Phase 2 in 2012 worth P100 million but certain anomalies were discovered .
The construction was suspended in 2013 due to the alleged irregularities discovered in Phase 1 for structural defects and Phase 2 for using substandard materials.
Last April 2019, the Cordillera Regional Project Monitoring Committee together with staff from the Department of Public Works and Highways and a private sector representative of the Regional Development Council made an onsite ocular inspection and assessment on the structural retrofitting done on the main building of the IGH.
When newly elected Governor Jerry Dalipog assumed office last July, he promised during the Second SP Forum held at the Don Bosco School gym that he will continue and finish the construction of the new IGH within his term. He contacted the engineer who made the design of the hospital to make an honest assessment whether the construction be continued or the buildings be demolished.
The Ifugao people are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new hospital to avail of its services. Presently, they have to bring their patients to the provincial hospital in Lamut town or to hospitals outside the province. **JDP/DBC- PIA CAR, Ifugao
