Gov. Arthur Yap chides his critics as he insisted that NOW is the right time to modernize the provincial hospitals in Bohol.
This was the statement of the governor as he replies to criticisms that the provincial government is planning to modernize the provincial hospitals instead of bolstering the Covid response.
According to the Capitol, critics agains the present administration said that this is not the right time to modernize the hospitals.
The governor said in a Facebook post on Friday, June 26, 2020. “Sa miaging duha ka semana, gibatikos ang provincial government kabahin sa pagmodernize sa atong mga hospitals. Ingon nila nga dili karon ang saktong panahon. Apan kung hunahunaon og sakto ang atong sitwasyon, karon ang perfect time nga padayonon nato ang proseso sa pag-modernize sa atong mga hospitals. Dili karon panahon nga undangon na hinoon nato ang pagsuporta sa atong mga hospitals. Sa wa pa niabot sa Bohol ang Covid-19, naa nay kaigsoonan nato nga nangamatay gumikan sa laing mga sakit. Buot pasabot ba sa mga tigbatikos nato nga karong mga panahona, katong mga sakit nga makamatay dili na makamatay karon? Mao nay rason nga gikinahanglan kaayo ang modernization sa atong mga hospitals.(Two weeks ago, the provincial government was criticized regarding its move to modernize our provincial hospitals. The critics said that this is not the right time to do the modernization. But if we think rightly about our present situation, NOW is the perfect time to continue with the process of doing the modernization of our hospitals. This is not the time to stop our support for and to the hospitals. Before the Covid 19 crisis started to happen in Bohol, there were already incidents of death among our brother Boholanos due to other ailments. Do our critics mean to say that at these present times, those other ailments that caused the deaths of our brother Boholanos before, could not anymore be the reason/s for the death of our brother Boholanos now? This is the very reason that NOW is the time for the urgent need to modernize hospitals in the province). ”
In the same post, the governor said, “Kung di ta modayon sa pagpamalit og dugang mga ekipo alang sa napulo nato ka hospitals, asa man nato dad-on ang mga pasyente karon nga ang Gallares Hospital gihimo na natong exclusive Covid-19 hospital? Kinahanglan ang uban natong mga hospitals moapas sab sa pagka-moderno sa Gallares Hospital.(If we will not continue to buy more equipment for our ten (10) hospitals, where will we bring the patients, now that Gallares Hospital is dedicated exclusively as a Covid-19 hospital? There is a need for our other hospitals to level up with the Gallares Hospital as far as the modern status is concerned.) ”
He added, “Mga kaigsoonan kong Bol-anon, ang atong pag-atubang sa Covid-19 dili mahimong ipaagi nato sa panglantaw nga kutob lamang sa temporaryo ug hamubo nga panahon. Kinahanglan ang atong pangandaman mao ang worst scenario ug ang tibook nga hulagway sa suliran karon ug sa mga posibilidad sa umaabot nga panahon. Ang paglampos nato sa kining hagit sa Covid-19 kinahanglan og aksyon, kinahanglan molihok ta ug di nalang nato buhaton ang wa kinahanglana karong panahona sama sa pagdumot, pagpangdaut, ug ang sige’g palabwanay kinsa ang bright. Karong panahona ug sa bisan unsa pa nga panahon, ang pagdumot, pagpangdaut ug pagpalabwanay dili makatabang. (My brother Boholanos, our approach to Covid-19, should not be done in a way that will solve the problem on a temporary and short term basis. Our preparation to fight the crisis should be done on a wholistic approach where we look at the worst scenario that could happen and where we will get ready for what is going to happen in the days to come. Our success in fighting Covid-19 needs action; success here means all of us working together and we should not do what is not supposed to be done like: hatred, character assassination, and constant competition as to who has the brightest idea among all. During these times and at all times, it will never help if we will harbor vengeance, destructive criticisms and unhealthy competition).”
The governor further said: “Kung ang usa ka tawo way ikatabang sa pagsulbad sa mga hagit nga atong giatubang, mas maayo nga motabang nalang siya sa pag-ampo alang sa Bohol kaysa magsabwag og mga dautang pulong kabahin sa iyang isi’g ka tawo nga makabungkag sa kahiusahan sa atong lalawigan. Ang mata’g usa kanato dunay katungod sa pagpadayag sa iyang hunahuna apan wa siya’y katungod sa pagpangdaut ug pagbungkag sa kahiusahan sa katawhan. Mga kaigsoonan kong Bol-anon, maghiusa kita aron malampasan nato ang Covid-19. (If one person can’t help face the challenge to solve the problem we have now, it is better for that person to pray for Bohol instead of that person spreading bad words against other people that could cause the disunity of Boholanos in the province. Each one of us has the right to express his thoughts and opinions, but no one has the right to destroy the unity of the people. My brother Boholanos, let us all unite so that we can overcome this Covid-19 crisis).”
During the press briefing last Friday, June 26, 2020, the governor also said that modernizing the hospitals may help in the overall situation of the province in relation to the anti-Covid measures being implemented by the provincial government.
With the regional hospital in Tagbilaran (the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital – GCGMH) now converted into a Covid-focused hospital, other province-managed hospitals are now in the forefront of providing healthcare and medical attention to the folks especially from the different towns of Bohol.
Recently, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved appropriation ordinances for the modernization of provincial hospitals and the purchase of heavy equipment. The SP approved a total budget of P678 million for all these.
The hospitals managed by the Bohol provincial government are: Cong. Simeon Toribio Hospital in Carmen, Cong. Natalio Castillo Hospital in Loon, Candijay Community Hospital, Maribojoc Community Hospital, Clarin Community Hospital, Catigbian District Hospital, Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital in Jagna, Francisco Dagohoy Memorial Hospital in Inabanga, President Carlos P. Garcia Community Hospital in Carlos P. Garcia and Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in Talibon.