Mayor Angelo ‘Roncal’ Montilla led the groundbreaking ceremony this afternoon for the construction of the first Public Dialysis Center in Tacurong City.
The three-story building that spans 2,446 square meters and sits on 1,236 square meter-lot along Roxas Avenue will house nine dialysis rooms, an X-ray room, and cutting edge laboratory equipment among others.
The ceremony was attended by members of the city council, former Mayor Lina Montilla, barangay officials, LGU department heads, city engineers, public and private health practitioners, uniformed personnel, and members of the academe.
Before the lowering of the capsule containing the building plan, Rev. Fr. Daryl Dan Bilbao, DCC blessed the ground that will house the structure.
City Health Officer Giovanni Deles and Vice Mayor Lino Montilla, who sits as chairperson of SP Committee on Health, delivered their messages during the activity.
DOH Representative Mercedes Manansala was very thankful for this health initiative by the city government.
The establishment of a dialysis center is among the priority projects of Montilla administration to be implemented in phases.
The first phase of construction that will begin immediately has a funding requirement amounting to P7-million.
The budget covers removal & earthworks, concrete works, forms and scaffoldings, and masonry works.
C.A. Betalac Construction and General Merchandise, the contractor awarded with the project, has already received a Notice to Proceed certification for the first phase construction.
The center will primarily cater to Tacurongnons needing its services although the LGU still awaits the guidelines set under the Universal Health Care Law to suit the operational guidelines of the dialysis center.
In his message, Mayor Angelo Montilla assured that for Tacurongnons, expenses for dialysis sessions will be for free as long as they have their Philhealth membership.
The mayor, who chairs the Local Health Board, sees the importance of a dialysis center especially in a growing city like Tacurong.
“Illnesses related to kidney functions are increasing in number and our constituents are not spared by the growing statistics that’s why it’s important for us to have at least one center”, Montilla said.
According to data, dialysis treatment costs at least P2,200 per session and prices may increase to up to P5,000 per session in private hospitals. (ASF, LGU Information)