Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, January 8, that he is prepared to answer a complaint filed against him before President Rodrigo Duterte on the provincial government’s devolution of the management of its two hospitals to the Calatrava and Escalante City governments.
John Chiong, national commander of Task Force Kasanag, in his complaint sent to the president on December 29 objected to the turnover that he claimed was done without public consultations.
The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan had approved the turnover of the Calatrava District Hospital in Calatrava and the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital in Escalante City to the two local governments.
“We do not enter into an agreement with LGUs without studying the legal implications,” Lacson said.
The capability of local governments to manage hospitals should not be underestimated, he said, citing Sagay City, San Carlos City and Cauyan town who manage their own hospitals.
“What is important is LGUs will improve their hospitals’ services for their constituents,” he said.
“Let’s not think of ourselves but the general population who will benefit from the close supervision of hospitals by the LGUs,” he said.
Under the turn over agreement, the provincial government will subsidize 70 percent of the hospitals’ operations and the LGUs will pay the remaining 30 percent.
However, as the hospitals begin to earn the subsidy of the provincial government will be decreased, Lacson said.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the transfer of the operations of the hospitals to the LGUs will reduce the provincial government’s number of employees since in the past it had exceeded its personal services cap.
Consultations were made with the hospital employees and other stakeholders on the devolution of the operations of the two hospitals, he added.*