SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a five-storey multi-purpose building for the Department of Health held in this city on July 11.
The P136 million-worth building would house staff of the health agency for its various operations.
A total of P100 million of the total fund allocation for the building shall be used for the initial construction this year, while the remaining P36 million for its completion shall be downloaded in 2025.
Senator Imee said that this is a testament to the desire to bring facilities that can help address health concerns in the Ilocos Region.
“Today, we finally provide a five-storey building so that we will be able to adequately address the [health] priorities here in the Ilocos Region,” Marcos said.
The fund for the construction comes from the Marcos administration’s “Build, Better, More” program lodged through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
DPWH-Region 1 Regional Director, Engr. Ronnel Tan describes the multi-purpose building as one that will offer diverse functionalities, contributing to economic growth by providing space for offices that will provide sustainable and quality services to clients.
“If the working condition of government workers is good, they will be able to deliver quality service to the people,” Tan said.
DOH-Region 1 Regional Director, Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco, meanwhile recognized the contributions of various public and private stakeholders, which led to the realization of the building’s construction.
“To [all our stakeholders], thank you for your support and belief in this mission. Your contributions have been invaluable, and together we are creating a healthier and stronger future,” Sydiongco said.
The facility is part of the government’s plan to construct 198 high-impact priority infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) to boost its goal of the country transforming into a logistics hub in Asia.
The multi-purpose building is part of the IFPs under the health sector, with other projects to be constructed under the sectors of agriculture, water resources, energy, telecommunications, and physical connectivity.
The DOH building is expected to be completed in 2025. (AMB/CCMT/PIA La Union)
