Laoag hospital gets more than facelift

LAOAG CITY—Mayor Michael Fariñas once listed only two priorities in the upgrading of the city’s general hospital—services first, structural appearance second.

On July 8, when the structure was unveiled, the once obscure city hospital gave residents both—an imposing five-story, 120-bed hospital equipped with modern facilities.

The hospital initially offers out-patient and emergency services, laboratory examinations and pharmacy needs. Its full operation is expected before the year ends.

The P350-million hospital is Fariñas’ promise to residents when he began his first term in 2004.

“This one last ride, I suppose, will be a bit easier. The struggles have been surpassed,” he said, noting that he started to push for the hospital’s improvement back in 2002.

Fariñas fought for the hospital’s upgrading due to the rising demand for quality yet affordable health care in government-run hospitals.

Back then, Fariñas was able to seal a deal with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a grant to improve the city hospital. The grant was later diverted to another government hospital when the mayor failed to get the provincial government’s endorsement.

Former Gov. Michael Keon also went to court to block the construction, noting that another hospital would pose undue competition to the existing provincial hospital.

The city government eventually got the approval of the Department of Health and the hospital’s groundbreaking pushed through in 2009.

Fariñas said the hospital’s operation will also provide more jobs to doctors, nurses and residents, with the initial hiring of more than 150 medical and administrative staffers.