Public hearing for proposed 
curfew for minor tomorrow

By FELIPE CELINO

ROXAS City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will be holding a public hearing tomorrow on the proposed ordinance imposing a curfew on minors, and three other proposed ordinances.

According to Councilor Powell del Rosario, chairman of the SP Committee on police matters, the city government has long had a curfew ordinance for minors but this has never been enforced, thus the proposal to update it to suit the needs of the present time.

The old curfew ordinance for minors was authored by then Councilor Albert Potato, said del Rosario.

Also set for public hearing are the following:

* proposed ordinance banning the use of plastic bags from the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (the city’s premier market), grocery and department stores once a week

* proposed standardization or synchronization of working hours of all public offices and establishments in Roxas City; and

* proposed one-way traffic on Magallanes – Roque streets.

Del Rosario urged the public to attend the public hearings.

The SP thought of the curfew for minors to assist law enforcers maintain peace and order on the streets. It covers minors aged 17 years old and below.

The proposed measure seeks to impose a night-time ban for minors from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning.

The proposal seeks to prevent youngsters from engaging in prostitution, robbery, drug abuse, vandalism and other forms of illegal acts, with appropriate penalties and sanctions being imposed on violators./PN


Capiz Emmanuel Hospital: 
answering new challenges

BY FRANCO JOSE BARONA

ROXAS City – In just a span of nine years, the more than century-old Capiz Emmanuel Hospital has grown by leaps and bounds.

Within the said time frame, the management of one of the largest private hospitals in Roxas City poured in an estimated P74.2 million from 2001 to 2010 in pursuit of its singular goal: to provide better health services to the public.

In an interview with Capiz Emmanuel Hospital Administrator Jessie H. Contreras during his recent visit to Manila for the general meeting of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) where he is the executive vice president, he said the transformation of the health institution has been remarkable

“Improvements in the hospital and its renovations are all designed to provide better services to the residents of Capiz and nearby provinces," Contreras said.

“It’s more than a facelift. It's really a renovation project," he added, stressing that the revitalization of Capiz Emmanuel Hospital benefits their patients and staff.

"We are truly grateful for all of our donors' generosity and commitment to optimize the health status of our community members," Contreras said.

With the transformation, the hospital is now able to deliver a broad range of services, including emergency and intensive care, medical and surgical care, rehabilitation, and obstetrical care.

‘LIVING LEGACY’
Founded in 1908, the hospital is one of the living legacies of the American Baptist Mission in Capiz.

Dr. Frederick Meyer, a former administrator of the hospital, also wrote the early history of Capiz.

Based on latest hospital records provided by Contreras, both x-ray and operating rooms doubled while several offices were converted into additional doctors' clinics.

The old doctors' dorm was converted into 10 private rooms, a hospital library and business office.

What used to be the old dietary department has been turned into the pediatric ward, a semi-private room and isolation ward.

On the other hand, the old pediatric ward was transformed into seven private wards.

The old morgue was converted into the hospital cafeteria, dietary department, stock room and conference room, and what used to be the billing room is now the clinic of three doctors.

The same can be said about the old administration office which is now occupied by the clinics of five doctors.

The old board room has been converted into the pharmacy stock room.

Finally, the room used to be occupied by Dr. Dela Cruz and Dr. Urquiola has been divided into four clinics.

The renovation also reflects more the inimitable function that the hospital plays in the life of all Capiceños.

Private rooms swelled from just 30 rooms in 2001 to 51 units in 2010.

The number of semi-private rooms quadrupled from just two units nine years ago to 10 in 2010.
Vehicles used by the hospital were also augmented -- from just two in 2001 to five, and two ambulances in 2010.

With regards to its personnel, the number of resident doctors increased from five physicians in 2001 to eight resident doctors and 10 relievers last year.

The number of employees almost doubled from 155 regular workers in 2001 to 274 in 2010.
With the increase of employees also comes an increase in the budget for salaries and wages: from almost P900,000 in 2001 to P2.6 million in 2010.

Social security remittances also increased from only P87,000 in 2001 to more than a quarter of a million pesos in 2010.

The hospital also procured several medical equipment to better serve the public.

Seven ventilators, one electronic and six manual, were purchased where there used to be none nine years ago.

An x-ray machine, one stress test machine, six units of cardiac monitors and two sets of generators were also added.

From 2002 to 2010, the hospital spent an estimated P37.4 million for the purchase of new equipment.

Meanwhile, a total of P36.7 million was spent for the construction of additional rooms and renovation of offices from 2002 to 2010.

With all the improvements undertaken, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital has now earned the distinction as one private hospital in the province of Capiz that is equipped with the latest medical equipment with a strong line-up of skilled physicians and competent nursing staff. (Global News and Information Services)




(Disclamer)
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