THE construction of the P15-million Mother and Child Hospital in Dagupan City will continue in spite of the refusal of the majority in the Sangguniang Panlungsod to endorse the resolution authorizing Mayor Belen Fernandez to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health for its establishment.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire assured  City Mayor Belen Fernandez that the budget for the establishment of the MCH in Barangay Pantal remains in place.

Recall that shortly after the SP majority submitted a negative endorsement, regional officials of DOH arrived in Dagupan to respond to all questions about the project but the majority boycotted the regular session, hence, the endorsement could not be passed.

An executive-legislative caucus was held instead with officials of the DOH led by Dr. Veronica Guadiz-de Guzman, DOH Pangasinan team leader, as resource speakers.

The DOH officials clarified that the P15 million funding for MCH is money allocated to the city government in the General Appropriations Act coursed only through DOH as one of the pilot areas in the country under the Universal Health Care program.

DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco came to Dagupan after the caucus to sign documents turning over the project to the Dagupan City to ensure that the P15 million will not be forfeited.

Hailing the coming of USec Vergeire to Dagupan, Mayor Fernandez said: “We all support the establishment of this health care facility because this will provide our indigent mothers and children a specialized care, proper nutrition and feeding, monitoring for health conditions, support for new moms, and accessible health care.” (Leonardo Micua)

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