LAGAWE, Ifugao – People of Ifugao will soon benefit from the new Ifugao General Hospital (IGH) in Poblacion North here.
The provincial government led by Gov. Jerry Dalipog and Department of Health-Cordillera Director Rio Magpantay spearheaded the soft opening or hugop of the IGH on June 30 with Bishop Valentin C. Dimoc of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe officiating a mass and blessing the hospital.
Officials and employees of the provincial, municipal, and barangay governments, line agencies, peoples’ organizations, and the public attended the event that realized a long-time clamor of the people.
The IGH project started in 2009, with at least P400 million from the national and provincial governments allotted for its construction. As of June 2023, the project is 95 percent complete.
Dalipog said the hospital is expected to be completed and in full operation by October.
He said the hugop is a tradition in Ifugao performed by families prior to occupying new house. The provincial government conducted the hugop for the hospital personnel to already move in and use the facilities while the project is being completed.
Dalipogadded they are now applying for the license to operate from the DOH as a level 1 hospital and plans to apply as a level 2 hospital in 2024.
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) has been conducting project inspection and validation of the hospital building following issues on the implementation of its phase 1 by the provincial government and the phases 2 and 3 by the DOH through the Department of Public Works and Highways.
In 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic, the RPMC initiated an inspection of the hospital building, particularly to look at the structural retrofitting done at the main building to ensure the structure will be fit for occupancy following the recommendation of a third party assessment by a structural engineer who recommended additional strengthening measures to ensure stability of the buildings.
The construction of the IGH was proposed in 2008 under the Hospital Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH. – Redjie Melvic Cawis
