By Eva Visperas
MANGATAREM, Pangasinan – A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Friday for the Mangatarem Super Health Center in Barangay Parian this town.
The event was led by Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco, Second District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, and local officials including Mayor Ramil Ventanilla.
This project is seen as a crucial step toward improving healthcare services in Mangatarem and nearby towns.
In his speech, Congressman Cojuangco emphasized the importance of the project, which has long been awaited by Mangatarem residents.
“I am happy to be involved in raising the funds for this,” said Cojuangco, thanking the mayor and the local government for their cooperation.
The congressman proudly shared that the initial funding of P12- million has been secured from the DOH Health Facility Enhancement Program for 2024, a budget he fought for in Congress.
However, he also noted that this amount is not enough to meet all the needs of the project.
“This is still not enough. We need at least an additional P5- million, bringing the total to P17- million,” said Cojuangco. He assured that he would work hard to find additional funds to ensure the completion of the entire project.
With the goal of improving the health of Mangatarem residents and those in nearby towns like Aguilar, Cojuangco added, “Dialysis is necessary in these municipalities. People have a hard time traveling to urban centers just to undergo dialysis. If we can locate the service where the need is, it will greatly reduce the burden on the people.”
The Super Health Center project here will not only provide basic services such as outpatient, birthing, isolation, and diagnostic services (x-ray, ultrasound), but it will also expand services like dialysis, physical therapy, telemedicine, and more.
Cojuangco also mentioned that the project serves as an example of modernization in the healthcare sector, and it will be the first health facility with modern technology in Mangatarem.
“Thank you to the foresight of the Mayor in acquiring a large enough property to ensure that we have space for future development,” said Cojuangco, praising the local government’s vision of securing adequate space for future needs.Â
The project also includes the construction of a Dialysis Center, a request from the local government, which is expected to assist patients from Mangatarem and nearby towns.
“I commit that if we are re-elected, we will continue to work for additional funding for these facilities,” added Congressman Cojuangco, promising support in the coming years to ensure the continuous development of the project.