By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government’s hospital operations division is exploring the possibility of creating its own mental health facility.

Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Office (PHO) head, said the idea was raised by La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on, who is also a medical doctor.

Pinongan said mental health is also a concern for almost all local government units (LGUs) in the country.

Currently, Negros Occidental has no government-run mental health facility, but several LGUs in the province are willing to fund the proposed facility.

Pinongan said the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City has a full-time psychiatrist, accompanied by a PHO coordinator, who conducts consultations across several towns and cities in the province.

However, there are budget constraints for medicine for some mental illnesses.

Pinongan said mental health concerns in the province should be addressed./DGB, WDJ