By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government is currently scrutinizing the hours logged by physicians at government hospitals after provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said some doctors have pledged to work 24 hours of services twice a week. While he noted government physicians can concurrently work in private practice, the provincial official pointed out, with the proposed 24-hour shifts, “That would make them to have private practice longer than the services that they render in government.”
Governor Eugenio Lacson said he would like doctors to render 12 hours per day for two days, along with an additional 16 hours; or a total of 40 hours a week—the prescribed number of hours by the Civil Service Commission.
Diaz also noted, there are several physicians who were laid off from Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and willing to replace government doctors on the condition of the two 24-hour shifts.
The provincial official said the matter still needs to be reviewed by the governor.
Meanwhile, Diaz pointed out government doctors earns a monthly salary of P70,000 plus a share from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, which may exceed their salaries./DGB, WDJ