THE Cebu Provincial Government has committed an initial P50 million in financial assistance to the Mandaue City Government for the purchase of medical equipment for the soon-to-rise Mandaue City Hospital.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced the funding during the Mandaue City Government’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday, June 29, at the Mandaue Heritage Plaza.
Joining the governor at the event were Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, members of the Mandaue City Council, Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, and city government employees.
Baricuatro said the allocation will serve as the initial funding for medical equipment needed by the city-run hospital, adding that the Provincial Government is prepared to continue supporting the project in the coming years.
“Gusto nako ipahibaw nimo Mayor, kato imong request sa inyong hospital, initial na, Mayor, ang P50 million. Unya next year atoa na budgetan,” Baricuatro said.
“Padayon lang ta. I know you are very capable here in your City of Mandaue, but please know na naa ra ang Cebu Provincial Government nagpaluyo sa inyo and padayon mi sa pagka-collaborative uban ninyo,” she added.
Following the governor’s announcement, the Mandaue City Council approved a resolution during its regular session on June 29 authorizing the release of the budget for the procurement of the hospital’s medical equipment.
Councilor Joel Seno said the resolution is one of the requirements for the release of the financial assistance.
“Mao ni ang kinahanglanon didto (Capitol) for the release of the check,” Seno said in an interview.
The approved procurement covers eight categories of equipment, including emergency room equipment, operating room and delivery room equipment, laboratory machines, physical rehabilitation equipment, portable ultrasound units, a mobile X-ray machine, a portable bedside ultrasound with curvilinear transducers, and a BTL 6000 Super Inductive System.
Ouano thanked Baricuatro and the Cebu Provincial Government for supporting one of the city’s priority healthcare projects.
He explained that while the city had earlier secured funding for the hospital building itself, additional resources were still needed to equip the facility before it could begin operations.
“Ang kani man gud atong hospital, wa kahibaw ang kadaghanan nga ang building ra na ang gihimo. Mao na ang gipaningkamotan namo ni Cong. Lollypop. Mao niadto ta sa Senado last year og nakakuha ta og P400 million, but that’s just for the building. Ang kani gihatag ni Gov. para to sa atong medical equipment sa atong City Hospital, mao nga salamat kaayo, Gov.,” Ouano said.
“Rest assured, Gov., you have our commitment and cooperation para sa benepisyo sa mga Mandauehanon,” he added.
Seno described the governor’s visit and financial assistance as “a very good gesture” from the provincial government.
He noted that Mandaue remains the only highly urbanized city in Cebu that is still part of the province for electoral purposes.
Although the city operates independently from the Cebu Provincial Government and its ordinances and resolutions are no longer subject to Provincial Board review, Mandaue residents continue to vote for provincial officials and remain eligible to receive assistance from the Capitol.
“Mao nay naka unique kay we can vote and makadawat sad og assistance from the province,” Seno said.
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