Anomalies found on construction of new Ifugao General Hospital

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Anomalies were recently uncovered on construction of the  new Ifugao General Hospital, a government report said.

But despite this, the IGH targeted to start operation next year.

This was announced by Board Member Josel Guyguyon,   chairman of the committee on health, sanitation, drugs after they inspected new IGH edifices recently with Vice Gov. Glenn Prudenciano, Provincial Health Officer Priscilla Pagada, Provincial Engineer Julian Dulawan Jr. and representatives from Dept. of Health and contractor, Bugani Construction, Inc.

Inspected were medical arts, dietary and maintenance buildings including the watcher’s and power houses which form Phase 3 of the IGH project.

They found these almost complete.

The main building is still undergoing retrofitting. Phase 3 has  budget of P72 million.

The new IGH was funded by the DOH under its health facilities enhancement program that began phase 1 construction in 2011 costing P50 million and Phase 2 in 2012 worth P100 million  but certain anomalies were discovered .

The construction was suspended in 2013 due to alleged irregularities discovered in Phase 1 for structural defects and Phase 2 for using substandard materials.

Last April 2019, the Cordillera regional project monitoring committee with staff from the Dept. of Public Works and Highways and a private sector representative of the Regional Development Council inspected retrofitting done on the main building of the IGH.

When Gov. Jerry Dalipog assumed office July, he promised during the second SP forum at Don Bosco School gym that he will continue and finish construction of the new IGH within his term.

He contacted the engineer who made the design of the hospital to make an honest assessment whether the construction  be continued or the buildings be demolished.

The Ifugao people are eagerly anticipating the  opening of the new hospital  to avail of its services, officials said.

At present, patients are brought to the provincial hospital  in Lamut town  or in hospitals outside the province.(JDP/DBC- PIA CAR, Ifugao)