Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez said the city government is considering a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme for the operation of the soon-to-rise Bacolod City General Hospital.

“We are actually entertaining a PPP for the proposed city hospital, which is being started as we speak,” Benitez said in his talk during an event on Wednesday afternoon, February 22.

The construction of the P800-million hospital main building and other facilities on donated land in Barangay Vista Alegre is being funded by the national government through the Department of Health and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“We would like to share this with the experts, especially those in the medical industry, so they would be able to properly handle our hospital,” Benitez said.

Although he did not provide specific details on the proponent, the mayor said, “It’s the same group that made the PPP proposal with the City of Makati.”

Earlier this week, Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya announced that the construction of the ancillary facilities of the Bacolod City General Hospital is ongoing.

Meanwhile, works for the hospital’s main building are currently under the pre-procurement process.

“The technical working group has made recommendations that probably this week, we will be able to have a pre-bid conference,” Loben Rafael Ceballos, officer-in-charge of the City Engineer’s Office, said.

During the groundbreaking last September, it was announced that the first phase, which costs P200 million, involves the construction of a multi-purpose building, comprising three separate structures, including a dietary building, a morgue, and a linen and laundry office.

Republic Act 11564, which was signed into law by former President Rodrigo Duterte on June 24, 2021, establishes the city hospital. (PNA)