Reg’l drug rehab center in Soccsksargen to rise in Lake Sebu

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Tuesday 17th of July 2012

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 17 (PIA) -- Negotiations on the establishment of Soccsksargen’s drug rehabilitation and treatment center in Lake Sebu town has already begun.

The negotiations on the said project happened between the provincial government of South Cotabato and the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH-12).

The Office of the Govenor has confirmed that DOH 12 Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar has visited Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. for initial talks regarding the conversion of the underutilized Lake Sebu Municipal Hospital to become the Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center of Region 12.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office, also disclosed that formal talks on the matter could begin immediately after the celebration of the 13th T’nalak Festival.

“After the celebrations, I will call for a meeting with the Provincial Health Board to discuss the matter. We are also inviting regional director Dr. Convocar to the meeting,” he said.

Plans to upgrade the Lake Sebu Municipal Hospital into a rehabilitation center began in June.

During the meeting of the Regional Social Development Committee of the Regional Development Council 12 at Villa Princessita, Koronadal City last June 19, Dr. Convocar proposed for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation and treatment center in the province, considering the province’s strategic location in Soccsksargen Region.

In response, Gov. Pingoy signified the willingness of the provincial local government unit (LGU) to donate the underutilized health facility in Lake Sebu for the drug rehab center.

He explained that the government could save on construction cost if the said hospital will only be improved and developed to fit the rehab center’s requirements.

In his regular weekly radio program, “Si Gov. Dodo kag ang Katawhan," Gov. Pingoy explained that the present underutilization of the hospital in Lake Sebu could worsen once the Upper Valley Community Hospital in nearby Surallah town becomes operational.

Thus, transforming the facility into a drug rehabilitation center is a better alternative to maximize its use for better purposes, the governor reasoned.

“Lake Sebu is an ideal location for such facility because of the ambiance and the presence of natural attractions that could help in the healing of the patients. So far, this is the third regional rehabilitation and treatment in the entire country,” he said.

Dr. Convocar explained that if plans will push through, the initial operations of the center may be placed under the supervision of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in coordination with the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, especially for some personnel requirements.

Lake Sebu is South Cotabato's prime tourist destination. The municipality is well-known for its three lakes and seven falls as well as its zipline, which is the highest in Southeast Asia.

Besides the establishment of drug rehab center, the South Cotabato LGU and DOH has also partnered for the construction of the Upper Valley Community Hospital (UVCH).

DOH, through its Health Facilities Enhancement Program, has provided the province with P28 million for the construction of the health facility that will serve as annex of the provincial hospital in Koronadal City.

As a private partner of the provincial government, the San Miguel Corporation, through its mining firm, Daguma Agro Minerals, Inc. (DAMI), also donated P25 million to build the UVCH.

UVCH is targeted to begin operations next year, which should absorb patients in the municipalities of Sto. Niño, Surallah, Banga, Lake Sebu, T’boli and other nearby municipalities, and decongest the provincial hospital. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)