By Dolly Yasa
Bacolod City – Mayor Raymund Tongson of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental said the city will soon have its own Dialysis Center to cater to local patients.
Patients from the city who need dialysis must travel for at least 2 hours to Bacolod City for their treatment.
In his Facebook page, Tongson said the construction of the city-owned dialysis center will be sourced from the 20 percent Development Fund for Year 2020.
The proposed P8-million dialysis center will be located within the City Health Office, and its budget in Appropriation Ordinance No. 19-06 was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in December 2019.
Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao said the dialysis center is the first major project made possible through the Public-Private Partnership for People (P4) Ordinance.
“This is a legacy healthcare initiative of the TOGA (Tongson-Gatuslao) Administration for the people of Himamaylan and southern Negros, which was developed from scratch (policy to negotiation to infrastructure),” said Gatuslao.
Under the agreement, the dialysis center will be managed by Nephro Synergies as private partner. A memorandum of agreement was entered into between Nephro Synergies and the Himamaylan City government on July 24, 2020.
Earlier, Tongson said the city government is preparing to finance major projects with its P500-million loan that will include the purchase of two dredgers for coastal areas, the development of the Aguisan Port, and flood control projects, among others.
The mayor also said that esplanades in the boulevard in two poblacion barangays will be constructed similar to that of Iloilo City, and the barangay halls will be relocated near the river.
Tongson said several businesses have already invested in Himamaylan, including three banks, several restaurants, and food chain stores from Bacolod City.
A Ceres bus terminal is also being eyed in the city.
