Lack of water hampers completion of P22-M CdeO hospital project

Cagayan de Oro City (17 February) — The lack of sufficient water supply hounds the completion of the controversial J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital Annex Building Project in Cagayan de Oro City.

This was discovered by City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula himself when he conducted an ocular inspection on Feb. 15 to assess the status of the on-going construction of the four-storey, 400-bed capacity City Hospital Building Project.

“How can a hospital operate without water?” a visibly irked Mayor Jaraula told City Hospital Administrator Nena Salon, Acting City Administrator Griscelda Joson, City Engineer Jorie Bingona and other top City Hospital officials who accompanied the Mayor during the on-site project inspection.

After touring the hospital facility, the City Mayor blew his top upon learning from project manager Engr. Francisco Alover on the problem on basic supply of water of the hospital building.

To address the problem, Mayor Jaraula recommended to the project manager the installation of a water tank atop the building in order to ensure steady supply of water, once it operates.

“Roofing on the fourth floor and stairways must also be prioritized because this has caused flooding problem in the past that affect the lower levels of the building,” the City Mayor added.

On a positive note, however, Salon gave an update to Mayor Jaraula on the current status of the project, saying that at least 100 out of the 400 beds available on the second and third floors are basically ‘ready for occupancy’.

The hospital’s Operating Room (OR) and Delivery Room (DR) is located on the ground floor.

It can be recalled that Mayor Jaraula strongly lobbied for the release of the P62 million subsidy from the national government through the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the pledge committed by President Arroyo in August 2007.

Of the amount, some P22 million is intended for the completion of the construction of the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital Annex Building Project.

While the remaining P40 million will be used for upgrading and expansion of the 22 barangay health centers all over Cagayan de Oro City. (City Information Office)