DPWH turns over P7.9-M Covid facilities to Bontoc

ONCE AN IDLE MOUNTAIN, Sitio Am-anchu in Barangay Bontoc Ili, Bontoc, Mountain Province now houses newly-constructed Covid-19 health facilities. (Related story below) – Jovi T. Lopez 

By Alpine Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – This capital town was recipient of newly –constructed and completed Covid-19 health facilities located at Sitio Am-anchu, Barangay Bontoc Ili. 
    The P7,963,422 worth Covid-19 health facilities were turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways- Mountain Province First District Engineering Office represented by District Engineer Januario Grande to the  Bontoc local government represented by Mayor Franklin Odsey on Feb. 15. According to Project Engineer Samuel Maskay of the DPWH-MPFDEO, the project was sourced out from the national government under the fiscal year 2021 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund.
    Implementation of the project was a joint undertaking of the DPWH-MPFDEO, Office of Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr., and Bontoc LGU.
    It was constructed for management, monitoring, and treatment of Covid-19 patients here.
    The proposal and planning of the project started in 2020 during the leadership of former DPWH-MPFDEO District Engineer Alexander Castaṅeda. 
    Engineer Maskay said that the project covered construction of facilities, two comfort rooms, purchase of amenities provided in every room, opening of road access and land development, and electrical wirings.
    The facilities have 20 beds capacity and a waiting area. .
    Each room has a comfortable bed, a table, a chair, and an IV stand.
    Rev. Elvie Tulingan of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP) officiated the blessing and mass during the blessing and inauguration ceremony of the facilities on Feb. 15. 
    In their messages, DPWH- MPFDEO District Engineer Januario Garde, Maintenance Section chief engineer Domingo Pumecha and project engineer Maskay thanked all partner agencies and contractor Lewin Vanne General Engineering and Construction for the realization of the project despite challenges and problems encountered.  
    De Garde encouraged the Bontoc LGU and its constituents, as end-users to take good care of the facility. 
    “This building is yours. You must take good care of it. Maintain and protect it,” he said. 
    Mayor Odsey expressed his gratitude to the DPWH-MPFDEO and the Office of Rep. Dalog for a fruitful partnership.
    He also thanked the contractor for the completion of the project. 
    He said construction and completion of the Covid-19 health facility will give hospitals in Mountain Province more capacity to handle severe and critical patients and will help in solving the shortage of hospital bed capacity because of the pandemic. 
    The mayor said the facility will be used for the intended purpose, but expressed high hopes that Covid-19 cases will gradually decrease. 
    “The completion of this facility is a dream come true because of our concerted efforts. We assure you that Bontoc LGU will improve the facility and provide other needed materials or logistics to give the best service to COVID-19 patients who will be staying here,” Odsey  said.
    Lawyer Cyphrine Maxcel Dalog, chief of staff of Office of Congressman Dalog lauded the DPWH-MPFDEO, Bontoc LGU, the contractor, and other stakeholders for their efforts and sacrifices that led to the completion of the project.
Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Diga Kay Gomez in her message thanked the support of all agencies in response to the health services of the municipality. 
    Also present during the event were engineer Esther Taynec and Administrative Officer Janet Valencerina, both from DPWH-MPFDEO, MDRRM Officer Johanna Padaen, Barangay Bontoc Ili Kagawad Gerald Kalang-ad, staff from the Municipal Health Office, and personnel from the DPWH-MPFDEO.