By CESAR JOLITO III

Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez has expressed strong support for the proposal of the Department of Health (DOH) to allow the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) to operate the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital (MJMDH) in Sipalay City as an annex facility.

In a statement, Alvarez said the proposal reflects a long-standing initiative she raised during the September 2025 budget deliberations, which aims to maximize the use of district hospitals by linking them with higher-level regional medical centers.

She emphasized that the plan goes beyond improving basic healthcare services, highlighting its potential to expand access to mental health care for communities in southern Negros Occidental.

“This is a meaningful step forward,” Alvarez said, noting that the move would revitalize an existing hospital through stronger supervision while bringing quality healthcare services closer to residents.

The lawmaker added that transforming MJMDH into an annex of CLMMRH would result in shorter travel time for patients, faster access to treatment, and improved overall service delivery — especially for families in far-flung areas.

Alvarez also underscored the opportunity for the district hospital to evolve into a more capable and responsive facility that can address both general medical needs and the growing demand for mental health services.

She expressed gratitude to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for his openness to the proposal, citing the importance of collaboration between local and national leaders in strengthening healthcare systems.

Moving forward, Alvarez said she will work on legislative measures to support and sustain the initiative, ensuring that the partnership between CLMMRH and MJMDH continues to benefit communities in the long term./CJ, WDJ