New P400M hospital to rise in Biliran

TACLOBAN CITY—A new P400-million hospital will soon rise in the province of Biliran.

Rep. Gerardo Espina Jr. reported on Facebook that construction of the new Biliran Provincial Hospital will start anytime after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the project worth P400 million.

The health facility would be built on land inside the provincial government center in Naval town. First phase of construction will start in 2021 and the second phase in 2022, an election year.

The hospital, which would have a 130-bed capacity, was projected to be fully operational by 2023.

On his Facebook post announcing the project approval, Representative Espina gave credit to his brother, Gov. Roger Espina, for coordination to make the hospital a reality. He said the hospital was “one of our most priority projects to improve our health care delivery system.”

He said the entire province of Biliran was grateful to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar for approving the request for a new hospital.

For 2021, the national government has set aside P150 million for initial phase of construction of the hospital. Another P250 million would be released soon to complete the project, said Representative Espina.

Gov. Rogelio Espina, elder brother of the lawmaker, said the provincial government would supply the hospital with staffers and equipment, including dialysis machines to “provide quality hospital care for Biliranos.”

TSB