Guv promises aid for Compostela birthing center

The town of Compostela will soon to have its own birthing center after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met with the town’s officials and assured them of her support.

Garcia met with the town’s officials after she found out they were hesitant to approve the realignment of funds that would lead to the completion of the town’s birthing center.

Garcia had been encouraging the town leaders to establish birthing centers to decongest the number of patients in the district hospitals.

Compostela’s birthing center project was initiated during the previous administration of the town but has yet to be completed until now.

The council explained that the building alone would cost P4.6 million, and the town, with its limited budget, cannot sustain its operations.

But Garcia clarified that the town only has to concentrate on approving the supplemental budget of P1.2 million, and the province will cover the rest of the cost.

Also, with the town’s enrollment in the PhilHealth Indigency Program, PhilHealth will pay P4,500 for each patient.  The capitation fund, which amounts to P300 per family, will also go back to the LGU and may be used to sustain the operations of the birthing center.

“If handled properly, the center would be a viable and sustainable enterprise that can handle health services,” Garcia said.

Aside from the birthing center, the provincial government also has plans to give an ambulance, a multicab, and a mini-dump truck to the town next year.  — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP