STO. TOMAS, Pampanga — The local government unit here formally handed over on April 24 the town’s health facility and lot where it is located to the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) of the Department of Health.
The P48-million facility officially named JBLMGH Ambulatory Surgical and Multi-Specialty Center was a priority project of then 4th Rep. Juan Pablo “Rimpy” P. Bondoc completed in 2019.
Mayor Johnny A. Sambo turned over the “key of responsibility” along with the transfer certificate of title to DOH OIC Maria Rosario S. Vergaire, witnessed by 4th District Rep. Ana York P. Bondoc, Vice Mayor Matias Pineda, DOH Undersecretary. Dr. Erique Tayag, and JBLMGH medical chief Dr. Monserrat S. Chichioco.
Also present during the turnover were provincial board members Roland Balingit, Nelson Calara and Benny Jocson, San Simon Mayor Jun Punzalan, JBLMGH medical personnel and staff, and town officials.
In her message, Vergeire lauded the efforts of the town officials and Bondoc in the construction of the facility, noting that LGUs “rarely” donate facilities and lots to the DOH even under usufruct agreements.
“This linkage (with the Sto. Tomas LGU) forms part of the Universal Health Care Program that exemplifies what we want to give to the public, “Vergaire said, adding that JBLMGH “offered excellent hospital services.”
Chichioco complemented the DOH OIC’s message with a commitment “to take good care of the apex referral facility catering to OPD, diagnostic radiology, laboratory, OP pharmacy patients.” An apex hospital is an end-referral hospital offering specialized services and is contracted as a stand-alone facility by the PhilHealth.
For his part, Sambo said it was “a great honor for the LGU of Sto. Tomas to become a partner of the JBLMGH in providing quality health services not only to the Thomasians but to residents of adjacent cities and municipalities.”
Citing the strategic location of the facility and the pivotal role it will play in addressing the medical needs of the contiguous communities, Sambo announced that the sangguniang bayan has granted him two hectares for donation to the JBLMGH aside from the existing 5,000-square meter area of the facility located in Barangay San Vicente.
Bondoc-Sagum expressed her gratitude to all the government officials who took the responsibility to initiate and see to completion the health facility which will be of “tremendous help to the community.”
She noted that with her push in putting up nursing and allied medical courses at the Don Honorio Ventura State University-Sto. Tomas campus, the facility is envisioned to be a major medical center in the coming years.
The turn over rites were followed by the unveiling of the Emigdio A. Bondoc Memorial Building marker at the façade of the facility, in honor of the late congressman who was succeeded in office alternately by his son and daughter. Punto News Team
