GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/06 August) — The city government plans to begin by next month the construction and development of its own dialysis center which is scheduled to open early next year through a public-private partnership or PPP scheme.
Jose Orlando Acharon, executive assistant of the city mayor’s office, said Monday the local government is currently finalizing the proposed development plan and operational procedure for the planned dialysis center, which would be established at the city district hospital complex here.
He said they expect the completion and approval by Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio within the week of the project’s proposed PPP scheme and procedure.
“This is a joint venture with a private partner but we will make it a pro-poor health facility, serving mainly our poor constituents,” said Acharon, who initially pushed for the project several years ago while serving as chair of the city’s council’s health committee.
Acharon said the PPP scheme and procedure, which are being formulated by the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, will mainly determine the development track and operational system of the dialysis center.
He said it will outline the processes and requirements as well as the partnership arrangements between the city government and its potential project partner.
Among the specific issues that it would address is whether the project’s proposed partner or investor will need to formally bid or make an offer to the city government, he said.
The official did not disclose the project’s proposed investor or partner but said several entities have already signified to partner with the local government for the venture.
Based on the proposed dialysis center’s initial plans and specifications approved by the Sangguaniang Panlungsod last April, Acharon said the city government will shoulder the construction of the building, water and power supply as counterpart.
He said the local government’s total project counterpart was estimated to cost around P12.3 million, which would be sourced from the city fund and trust fund.
Acharon said the project’s partner will provide the required personnel, the acquisition of the dialysis machines and the facility’s maintenance, he said.
“The center will initially operate with 15 dialysis units,” he said.
Acharon added that they expect the project’s development works to be fully completed by the end of the year to facilitate its opening by the first quarter of 2013. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)
