The Negros Occidental provincial government will avail of about half of the  P1.5 billion credit line made available to it by the Land Bank of the Philippines for the improvement of two hospitals and the construction of a new one, and for  the building of more facilities at  the Mambukal Resort in Murcia, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

The provincial government is also using P28 million from the loan for the purchase of a machine to produce the oxygen needs of its hospitals and P1 million for the structure that will house it in Silay City, Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado Jr. said.

The provincial government will be able to recover the cost of the machine in two years, Marañon said.

The provincial government is also allotting P102 million from the loan for the expansion of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City from a 100-bed facility to 250 with private rooms, he said.

It needs to be expanded because there is not enough space for the patients who go to the facility, the governor said.

Funds will also be allocated for the repair of the five-storey Cadiz District Hospital, which also needs an elevator and a ramp for wheelchairs, he said.

Also to be improved at the Cadiz facility are five run-down doctors’ cottages, he added.

A 50-bed hospital, with 14 private rooms to cater to tourists, will also be built in Sipalay City, he added.

Funds will be allocated for the improvement of the Mambukal Resort that needs more cottages, he said, noting that the facility is always fully booked.

Mambukal has an annual net income of about P10 million, he added.*CPG

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