Mon| 8.16.2021 | 2:00 PM

The damaged roof of Ziga Memorial Hospital remains unfixed after it was destroyed by previous typhoons that hit Albay.

The dilapidated interior of Ziga Memorial Hospital reflects its current state that requires massive rehabilitation.

Ziga Memorial Hospital was forced to reduce its patient capacity to 50 percent following the extensive damage it sustained from previous typhoons that lashed Albay province.

TWO public hospitals in the province of Albay received funding for their much-needed rehabilitation after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) granted a total of P70 million to said medical facilities.

PAGCOR donated P50 million to Ziga Memorial District Hospital in Tabaco, Albay and P20 million to Cagraray District Hospital, a small health facility in Cagraray Island. Said grants will be utilized for the repair of both hospitals, which were severely damaged by previous typhoons that hit the province.

PAGCOR President and COO Alfredo Lim led the turnover of the agency's donations to Albay Representative Victor Ziga, Jr. at the PAGCOR Executive Office in Manila. According to Lim, said grants are in line with PAGCOR's commitment to help improve the country's delivery of healthcare services. "As PAGCOR remains true to its nation-building mandate, we recognize the need of many communities for decent medical facilities that will cater to the health needs of the locals. Hopefully with these financial grants, we can help save more lives by making healthcare more accessible to those who need it most," Lim said.

Meanwhile, Ziga explained that the Ziga Memorial District Hospital used to be a 100-bed facility but was forced to reduce the number of patients it accommodates due to its dilapidated state.

"Bagyong Rolly pa noong nagpadala kami ng request for assistance to rebuild the facility. Naubos ang roof niyan (Ziga Memorial District Hospital) at ng Cagraray District Hospital and there are parts of the hospitals that are still using trapal (recycled tarpaulins). Ubos din ang gamit like x-ray at ECG machines at mga beddings," he shared.

Ziga added that there is a pressing need for Ziga Memorial District Hospital to be refurbished since it caters even to patients from the towns of Sagnay and Tigaon in Camarines Sur and Catanduanes provinces.

Cagraray District Hospital, meanwhile, also requires extensive repair to enable it to continue serving the medical needs of residents in Cagraray Island.

"Maraming salamat sa PAGCOR dahil sa pag-alalay sa Albay. Finally, we will be able to make the necessary repairs sa mga hospitals na nasira ng bagyo," Ziga said.

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