Malacañang upgrades Ilocos, Bohol hospitals

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has signed laws upgrading a hospital in Bangui, Ilocos Norte and increasing the bed capacity of two others in Bohol.

Republic Act (RA) 12040, which seeks to upgrade the Bangui District Hospital to a Level 2 facility, was signed by Marcos on Oct. 26.

The law also mandates allocation of funds for the hospital.

“The existing workforce of the Bangui District Hospital – which includes doctors, nurses and support personnel – should be increased,” the law said.

A Level 2 hospital should have completed the basic requirements for a second-level health facility, including departmentalized clinical services as well as operational respiratory, general intensive care, high-risk pregnancy and neonatal intensive care units.

The facility should also have a tertiary clinical laboratory, blood station and a second-level x-ray with a mobile unit based on the classification standards of the Department of Health.

Marcos signed RA 12041, increasing the bed capacity of the Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital in Bohol from 75 to 100, and its workforce.

He also signed RA 12042, increasing the bed capacity of the Cong. Simeon G. Toribio Memorial Hospital in Carmen town from 40 to 75.

RA 12041 and 12042 provided funding for the two Bohol hospitals.

On the same day, Marcos signed RA 12043, amending Section 1 of RA 11272, which provides for the construction of a special hospital in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, to be known as St. Bernadette Children and Maternity Hospital.

The hospital will be under the supervision of the city government of San Jose del Monte.