by RG Alama

Davao City (3 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded the development of the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital during her visit last July 1 in Digos City in time for the 41st anniversary of the province's creation.

During her speech at the capitol gym inside the provincial capitol complex in Matti, Digos City, PGMA said that new facilities of the provincial hospital are an example of the partnership between the national government and the Local Government Unit of Davao del Sur.

"Mao kanunay ang gi-follow-up ni Congressman Mark Cagas kanako dito sa Manila, kaingnan niya pet project ng iyang amang kining upgrade sa inyong ospital." (This has always been followed-up by Congressman Mark Cagas to me in Manila; he says this is the pet project of his father, the upgrading of your hospital). The President said in her speech.

During her recent Presidential visit, PGMA arrived by chopper at the Don Mariano High School in Digos City, briefly motoring to the nearby Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital where she cut the ceremonial ribbon and unveiled the marker for the P6-million Out Patient Department of the Provincial hospital.

The President then briefly toured the OPD's unit-facilities: Pediatrics, Medicine, Surgery, Ob-Gyne, Opthalmology, Psychiatry and Anesthesia. With a floor area of 436.84 square meters the 50-bed facility aims to service the comprehensive medical needs of residents in Davao del Sur and also the nearby provinces.

According to Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas, the new facilities are part of the priority projects of the province. He said they are very grateful for the help extended by the President. Aside from the P6-million OPD, the Provincial Hospital expansion totaled about P22-million that also includes a pediatric facility which is under construction.