Antique Hospital Rehabilitation Stalled by National Historical Commission’s Order

TOBIAS FORNIER, Antique — The rehabilitation of the President Diosdado Macapagal District Hospital in Tobias Fornier town is currently on hold due to a cease and desist order (CDO) from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Provincial Engineer Inocencio Dajao Jr. has called on the NHCP to lift the order, which has paused the PHP15 million project aimed at expanding the hospital’s capacity from 15 to 25 beds.

According to Philippines News Agency, the provincial legal office sent the hospital’s proposed development plan to the NHCP on December 5, 2023, but has yet to receive a response.

“I am just hoping that how quickly we had responded to the NHCP letter, that would also be how fast they would respond to us,” Dajao expressed in a Tuesday interview. He revealed that the renovation work, which was 60 to 80 percent complete, was immediately stopped following the receipt of the CDO issued by NHCP Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo on September 6, 2023.

The NHCP’s order highlighted that the 56-year-old hospital, deemed an important cultural property, is protected under Republic Act 10066, as amended by RA 11961 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. This legislation requires any modification or renovation of such properties to receive commission clearance. “Before the CDO was issued, we had already started construction of the sewage treatment plant, firewall, and repair of the wards as well as the existing hospital building,” Dajao stated.

The renovation efforts began in 2019 and faced temporary suspension during the pandemic, resuming in July 2023 until the NHCP’s intervention. Despite the halt in upgrades, Dajao noted that the hospital continues to operate. However, the delay impacts the planned improvements meant to enhance healthcare services in the region.