By Josephine M. Mendoza
Photos from the net.
Photos from the net.
“We have always looked forward for the fruition of Samar Island Medical Center (SIMC) since that ground-breaking held before the 2022 elections,” says a 68-year-old grandmother of 7 girls and 4 boys whose family has been a resident of Barangay Gadgaran, Calbayog City for quite some time now. The family’s house (made of light materials under a roofing of GI sheets) is a stone’s throw away from where construction authorities were gathered.
Mana Trining (not her real name) expressed high hopes that at a time when SIMC becomes operational, her grandchildren will be spared from the rigors of traveling long hours to cities to avail the services of a tertiary hospital.
“I am old and could only hope and pray for better health services for my children, grandchildren and their children without the need of traveling for long hours,” she continued to tell with delight at the sight of movements happening at the SIMC area.
Activities related to implementation of works on the SIMC started early this month (January 2024) after 2 phases of construction projects for a total of Php574,079,716.42 were opened for bidding and consequently awarded to contractors by DPWH Regional Office 8 during the last quarter of 2023.
For a contract amount of Php96,397,035.48, construction of a road network and site development will be implemented in the 3.388 hectares of land area allowed by the local government of Calbayog from the city-owned lot in Barangay Gadgaran, Calbayog City. Scopes of work for this phase will include the construction of 0.93 lane-kilometer of gravel road and the construction of a 2,219.37 square-meter slope protection structure. Site development is also covered under the contract amount. The contractor is given 180 calendar days to complete the work.
Construction of a Multi-purpose Building is the major scope of work under Phase 1 of SIMC facilities. It is awarded to a contractor for a bid amount of Php477,682,680.84 that will be completed within 360 calendar days. Works has started on December 04, 2023.
Mana Trining (not her real name) expressed high hopes that at a time when SIMC becomes operational, her grandchildren will be spared from the rigors of traveling long hours to cities to avail the services of a tertiary hospital.
“I am old and could only hope and pray for better health services for my children, grandchildren and their children without the need of traveling for long hours,” she continued to tell with delight at the sight of movements happening at the SIMC area.
Activities related to implementation of works on the SIMC started early this month (January 2024) after 2 phases of construction projects for a total of Php574,079,716.42 were opened for bidding and consequently awarded to contractors by DPWH Regional Office 8 during the last quarter of 2023.
For a contract amount of Php96,397,035.48, construction of a road network and site development will be implemented in the 3.388 hectares of land area allowed by the local government of Calbayog from the city-owned lot in Barangay Gadgaran, Calbayog City. Scopes of work for this phase will include the construction of 0.93 lane-kilometer of gravel road and the construction of a 2,219.37 square-meter slope protection structure. Site development is also covered under the contract amount. The contractor is given 180 calendar days to complete the work.
Construction of a Multi-purpose Building is the major scope of work under Phase 1 of SIMC facilities. It is awarded to a contractor for a bid amount of Php477,682,680.84 that will be completed within 360 calendar days. Works has started on December 04, 2023.
DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTATION:
Funds for SIMC has been made available by the national government only in the year 2023 under the General Appropriations Act as announced by Cong. Jude Acidre of Tingog Party List in January 2023.
Implementation of constructions works on the hospital did not immediately jumpstart even with the funds already available.
DOH found out that the area of lot originally requested from and donated by the City of Calbayog was short than the 33,888 square meters that SIMC would actually require. Increase in area for use of SIMC called for another round of legislative process and execution of documents.
The LGU-Calbayog, under the administration of City Mayor Raymund C. Uy and the Sangguniang Panglunsod, presided by City Vice Mayor Rex M. Daguman, led the re-processing of documents until it was finalized and executed with the relentless support of Samar First District Representative, Stephen James T. Tan.
For reasons of several details and particulars, on the other hand, preparation of structural plans and designs assigned to DPWH-regional office 8 had to go thru several reviews, reconsiderations and revisions before it was finally approved by DOH.
Funds for SIMC has been made available by the national government only in the year 2023 under the General Appropriations Act as announced by Cong. Jude Acidre of Tingog Party List in January 2023.
Implementation of constructions works on the hospital did not immediately jumpstart even with the funds already available.
DOH found out that the area of lot originally requested from and donated by the City of Calbayog was short than the 33,888 square meters that SIMC would actually require. Increase in area for use of SIMC called for another round of legislative process and execution of documents.
The LGU-Calbayog, under the administration of City Mayor Raymund C. Uy and the Sangguniang Panglunsod, presided by City Vice Mayor Rex M. Daguman, led the re-processing of documents until it was finalized and executed with the relentless support of Samar First District Representative, Stephen James T. Tan.
For reasons of several details and particulars, on the other hand, preparation of structural plans and designs assigned to DPWH-regional office 8 had to go thru several reviews, reconsiderations and revisions before it was finally approved by DOH.
EXISTENCE OF INFORMAL SETTLERS:
One of the causes of delay in the implementation of works on SIMC is the presence of informal settlers in the area awaiting relocation.
There are 53 families who claim they were already in the area when the city government acquired the lot from the private owners. They were promised a relocation area when the lot will be used.
“Having a tertiary hospital in Calbayog City will assure the delivery of better health services to the people in the city and the nearby towns,” says Mano Teban (not his real name).
“We are just waiting for the promised lot assignments where we can build a house for my wife and children,” he further said and added that the relocation assistance that the city government will provide can help them construct a new and small house on a lot they can call their own.
City Housing and Development Office-In-Charge, Engr. Ricky Moreno informed that the city government is currently rushing clearing works on a lot in the city’s Barangay Trinidad that will be utilized as relocation area for informal settlers.
“The city government will include the 53 informal settler-families in the SIMC area in the priority list to be allotted of 48 square meters each,” Moreno said.
“City Mayor Raymund C. Uy is also planning to request for allocation of funds from the city treasury intended to allow Php30,000.00 in relocation assistance for each family which amount will help the families build a new house on the lot assigned to them,” the CHDO-OIC Chief informed thereby adding that the proposed amount is still subject to availability of resources and authority from the Sangguniang Panglunsod.
One of the causes of delay in the implementation of works on SIMC is the presence of informal settlers in the area awaiting relocation.
There are 53 families who claim they were already in the area when the city government acquired the lot from the private owners. They were promised a relocation area when the lot will be used.
“Having a tertiary hospital in Calbayog City will assure the delivery of better health services to the people in the city and the nearby towns,” says Mano Teban (not his real name).
“We are just waiting for the promised lot assignments where we can build a house for my wife and children,” he further said and added that the relocation assistance that the city government will provide can help them construct a new and small house on a lot they can call their own.
City Housing and Development Office-In-Charge, Engr. Ricky Moreno informed that the city government is currently rushing clearing works on a lot in the city’s Barangay Trinidad that will be utilized as relocation area for informal settlers.
“The city government will include the 53 informal settler-families in the SIMC area in the priority list to be allotted of 48 square meters each,” Moreno said.
“City Mayor Raymund C. Uy is also planning to request for allocation of funds from the city treasury intended to allow Php30,000.00 in relocation assistance for each family which amount will help the families build a new house on the lot assigned to them,” the CHDO-OIC Chief informed thereby adding that the proposed amount is still subject to availability of resources and authority from the Sangguniang Panglunsod.
SIMC, THE TERTIARY HOSPITAL:
Under Republic Act 11703 signed into law on April 16, 2022, SIMC is envisioned to be a 300-bed-capacity tertiary hospital that will provide higher level of health care from specialists in medical fields. Its advanced facilities will include intensive care rooms.
The hospital will directly benefit residents of the three provinces of Samar Island with a combined population of 1.2 million, including over 300,000 individuals of Samar’s first congressional district.
As the law provides, future increase in bed capacity and upgrading of health care services and facilities (in the SIMC) shall be based on the hospital development plan to be prepared by the Department of Health (DOH).
This year’s implementation is only the first phase of a multi-year project in establishing a Samar Island Medical Center.(CJ/JMM)
Under Republic Act 11703 signed into law on April 16, 2022, SIMC is envisioned to be a 300-bed-capacity tertiary hospital that will provide higher level of health care from specialists in medical fields. Its advanced facilities will include intensive care rooms.
The hospital will directly benefit residents of the three provinces of Samar Island with a combined population of 1.2 million, including over 300,000 individuals of Samar’s first congressional district.
As the law provides, future increase in bed capacity and upgrading of health care services and facilities (in the SIMC) shall be based on the hospital development plan to be prepared by the Department of Health (DOH).
This year’s implementation is only the first phase of a multi-year project in establishing a Samar Island Medical Center.(CJ/JMM)
