BGHMC wants illegal settlers out

RELOCATION of informal settlers are being pushed in order to realize the expansion of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center following the approval of its 800 bed capacity.

BGHMC medical chief Doctor Ricardo Runez Jr. stated within the 25 hectare area of the hospital, only five hectares are currently occupied while the rest includes watershed areas and the seven hectares being were encroached by informal settlers.

At least 306 families identified were identified as informal settlers within the BGHMC compound.

On Saturday, an inspection was conducted with National

Housing Authority general manager Marcelino Escalada and Senator JV Ejercito, Senate Committee chair on health.

House Bill 6619, authored by Baguio Representative Marquez Go was recently signed into law increasing the bed capacity of BGHMC from 500 to 800 beds.

“Hindi natin marerealize yung 800 bed capacity expansion, putting of the different facilities, if we do not free up the space,” said Ejercito.

In a bid to address the issue, a three-story tenement building is being proposed upon the approval of NHA that will house at least 144 units was presented by Runez that will house at least 110 families.

The medical chief negotiated for the informal settlers to be given housing by the NHA in order for the areas to be freed for the hospital expansion.

“We have an agreement with informal settlers that if the land is needed for the expansion of the hospital, they will leave. But there is also a law that says no demolition without relocation, that is why we are working on relocation of the informal settlers,” stated Runez.

Majority of the informal settlers are previous employees of hospital.

Runez reveals the spaces being occupied by informal settlers is being eyed for the construction of a renal center building as the need arise due to the increase of patients seeks for dialysis.

Representative Jose Christian Bugayong, President Association BGH Compound barangay requested in behalf of barangay captain an ocular inspection with the BGH administration, the city and constituents of barangay to understand directly the proposal.

Escalada added the NHA will not proceed without relative clearance and development permits that the hospital must work on.

“We really want to put up lower rise building so that we are able to free up some spaces for the use of the hospital that has to be well coordinated with the government of Baguio as well as the barangay,” adds Escalada.

Aside from Baguio City, BGHMC also caters to patients from the different provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan, Ilocos, La Unio and other parts in the Cordillera region.