A group of Manila-based doctors informed members of the local legislative body it abandoned the planned put up of a state-of-the-art private hospital in the open field at Scout Barrio because of the stiff opposition raised by the residents in the said barangay over the project.
Dr. Antonio Pobre appeared before the local legislative body’s Monday regular session and disclosed that their group already abandoned the project but they are still looking for a suitable area within the Camp John Hay (CJH) reservation where the facility will be feasible to provide medical tourism as an added facet to the local tourism industry.
He claimed the group needs at least 5,000 square meters of land to put up the desired medical institution but they are banking on the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), a subsidiary of the State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), to help them identify a feasible land area.
Earlier, the local legislative body summoned the 3 groups of Manila-based doctors and BCDA and JHMC officials to meet with them to shed light on their proposal of a state-of-the-art private medical hospital in the Scout Barrio open field that caused barangay officials and residents to raise their sentiments against the project.
“We will no longer push through with the project because of the opposition raised by barangay officials and residents on the said project. We do not want that our project will be the cause of disunity among the residents in the area,” Dr. Pobre stressed.
Local legislators recommended to the group of Dr. Pobre to look for other suitable areas outside Scout Barrio for their hospital project as they support the plan if it will be outside the Scout Barrio open field.
Aside from helping promote Baguio City as a medical tourism area, Dr. Pobre claimed that the supposed operation of the hospital will also help in providing additional employment opportunities for qualified resident health care professionals.
He also denied earlier allegations a soil test was conducted in the place, saying a soil test is quite expensive thus they were first trying to secure the feasibility of the area before they conduct any further activity that entails the infusion of funds from their group.
Pobre claims that based on their initial assessment, Baguio City still needs more hospitals to cater to the needs of high-end clients both locally and overseas and edge of the city is its cool weather, an important factor in helping patients recover from their illnesses.
He said their group respects the opposition of the Scout Barrio residents on their planned project but their group will still continue to search for an area that is feasible for their hospital project.
By Dexter A. See
