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‘A Fulfillment of a Dream’: Davide Inaugurates Argao Town’s New P70M Hospital
It is a happy development for south Cebu residents under the second district after the inauguration of the new Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital (ICKMH) in Argao last Tuesday.
Nestled in a new sprawling site in Barangay Bogo, the P70-million facility will raise the hospital’s bed capacity from 25 to 100 patients once it is fully operational.
“It is our mission not only here in Argao, but also for all province-run hospitals to provide accessible and quality health services to the people especially the poor,” said Gov. Hilario P. Davide III, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Under Davide’s administration, health and social services are on top of the list of his six-key development agenda.
Presently, the new hospital can only accommodate 25 patients and can provide services for minor surgery, diagnostic laboratory, emergency and out-patient, X-ray imaging, birthing and maternity, dental, as well as public health programs.
The budget for the construction came from the Department of Health through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) while the hospital equipment was supplied by the Province.
With the ward section on its way to completion, Davide prodded representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways present to fast-track their work so the hospital could be fully utilized before the year ends.
The governor stressed that the district hospital is not only meant to serve residents of Argao but also the neighboring municipalities of Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander and Samboan.
“Today marks the fulfillment of a dream after two years of hard work, determination, perseverance and focus on achieving a noble goal,” said Argao chief of hospital Renato Cairo.
With the new facility, Cairo believes that the hospital’s quality of service and infrastructure will now “radically improve for the years to come.”
Argao Mayor Stanley Caminero said that the reasons for relocating the hospital to a wider area away from the town center is to decongest the old one and to prevent possible environmental problems since the facility is located near the sea.
Joining Davide in the inauguration ceremony were other south Cebu town mayors, including Ronald Allan Sesante of Dalaguete, Jose Tumulak Jr. of Oslob, Michael Sestoso of Alcoy, and Inocentes Cabaron of Moalboal.
Town councilors and Provincial Board member Jose Mari “Tata” Salvador of the 2nd district, chiefs of hospital and Provincial Health Office head Dr. Rene Catan also attended the event.
Before he graced the hospital unveiling, Davide led the turnover of P1.4 million infrastructure and countryside development projects to Barangay Talaga.
These projects include road concreting, a stage roof, a mini ambulance and water system.
Davide also led the Provincial Leadership and Governance Program dialogue where he met with rural health officials and other stakeholders from 22 south Cebu towns to discuss some concerns in their respective municipalities.
