Closure of Pinamungahan birthing center scored

OFFICIALS of Cebu’s 3rd District were alarmed after a birthing center in Pinamungahan was allegedly closed down by newly-elected town mayor Glenn Baricuatro on Monday.

Vice-Mayor Maria Honeylette Yapha-Lingad, her sister and former mayor Estrella “Gaye” Yapha and provincial board member Grecylda Sanchez-Zaballero yesterday raised the “politically-motivated” incident to Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday.

Lingad said Baricuatro ordered the closure of the birthing center because it lacked a municipal council ordinance supporting its operations.

“I am puzzled because before, he (Baricuatro) told the people that services will be free but he closed it and asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to enact an ordinance first,” Lingad said.

“He closed it outright yesterday. He did not even inform or consult us,” she said.

“I think there is politics because the birthing center has been a project of Mayor Gaye,” she added.

Meanwhile, Davide said passing an ordinance for the center will possibly require its patients to pay fixed fees.

“That’s really for the public and the people of Pinamungahan. Why close it when it’s supposed to be free,” he said.

For his part, Baricuatro said he temporarily closed the facility after receiving reports the center illegally charge patients with fees.