Jaraula hits critics over JR Borja row: ‘Malicious and ignorant’

MAYOR Constantino Jaraula on Tuesday vowed to fight so city hall could keep the JR Borja Memorial Hospital even as he called ‘‘malicious’’ moves to place the institution under the state-run Northern Min-danao Medical Center (NMMC).

Jaraula also called ‘‘ignorant’’ those who have criticized city hall over the way it has been running the JR Borja hospital in Carmen.

“No one should take the JR Borja hospital from Cagayan de Oro, and it will remain as the ‘city hospital,’” said Jaraula in response to reports that a congressman, obviously Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, has continued to work in making the local government-run institution under the Department of Health (DOH) through the NMMC. The mayor did not mention Rodriguez’s name.

“Kini taliwala sa uban nga ilang kawaton o kumpiskahon,’’ said Ja-raula, adding that the city hospital could received national government funds even if it is run by the local government.

Jaraula reacted to a criticism in connection with city hall’s P97-million supplemental budget.

Of this additional budget, only P6,300 was set aside for the city hospital, prompting Rodriguez to call it ‘‘scandalous.’’ Rodriguez also criticized city hall’s alleged lack of concern for the poor who need medical attention.

Jaraula said the supplemental budget was just an addition to the basic budget for the city hospital’s operations and supplies this year.

Without the P6,300-supplemental budget, the budget for the hospital includes personal services, P50.647 million; maintenance and other operating expenses, P32.900 million; drugs and medicines, P27.800 million; and other expenses, P5 million.

“This makes almost P100 million for the city hospital alone. We have a supplemental budget because we generated additional income not included in the annual budget. Is this scandalous? That can only come from ignorance on local governance,” said Jaraula. By LITO RULONA – Correspondent Gold Star Daily News