ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PNA) – A P660-million modern medical center will soon rise at the Buhang-Balantang area in Jaro district here to serve the health needs of people in the northern part of the city and province of Iloilo, including province’s central part.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog after meeting with representatives of an investment conglomerate based in Oregon, USA said Sueng Ho Park, managing director of Oregon’s Park Medical Center, with an Asian office in Seoul in South Korea, and Floyd E. Holcom, principal and senior project director of the IBIS Group, LLC, based in Oregon, USA visited his office to concretize plans for a medical center with a funding of over $15 million or about P660 million.

Holcom, the investment consultant of the group, said a feasibility study was presented to the city and some local businessmen, including members of the Iloilo City Trade and Promotions Board (TIPB) last Monday.

Present during the feasibility study presentation were the city mayor, TIPB Chairman Felix Tiu, Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo Chairman Dr. Roland Uy, among others. Mabilog said the groundbreaking of the hospital project is slated on April or May, 2011 this year at an over one-hectare lot at said Buhang- Balantang area in Jaro.

BOHOL TOWN BAGS NUTRITION AWARD

TUBIGON, Bohol, Philippines – For the third time in a row, the town of Tubigon has again been noted for adopting the most outstanding town nutrition program in Bohol province.

The feat also clinched for the town the honor of getting into the major league where the best national nutrition programs are concerned as it is now qualified to join in the national level competition, said Juliet Manliguez, Bohol Nutrition Coordinator.

Tubigon also joins a list of Bohol towns including Calape, Talibon and Inabanga who all had wowed the National Nutrition Council evaluation teams for their best practices in nutrition programs implemented in the grassroots.

Reaping an average of 96.24%, Tubigon has creatively generated funds for its nutritional feeding and supplementation program from their Kwarta sa Basura initiative.

In consonance with the municipal solid waste management council, Kwarta sa Basura has become a revenue generation program to prop up the town’s nutrition cookie jar, said Jonafe Boligao, town nutrition action officer.

Tubigon however is just less than a point ahead of second place holder, Sikatuna.

Sikatuna mayor Jose Ellorimo, during a press forum before the awarding ceremonies said he will not only continue supporting the town’s ongoing nutrition program but also promised to ensure that the regular weighing schedule of kids which is part of the effort to check malnutrition in the town, is closely observed. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)

BUS RAMS TREE; 21 HURT

TABUELAN, Cebu, Philippines – At least 21 people were injured when a passenger bus, owned by a local official crashed into a gemelina tree in Sitio Abante, Barangay Bongon, this town.

However, instead of getting angry at bus driver Virgelio Lanterna, the injured passengers of Pesiao Bus Liner were grateful that Lanterna managed to maneuver the bus to hit the tree which prevented it from plunging into a steep cliff.

The 42-seater bus was along the national road in Poblacion when its tire rod link snapped, disabling the driver’s ability to maneuver the steering wheel. But with presence of mind, the driver managed to veer towards the tree instead of letting the bus fall into the cliff.

Bus owner Dominador Pesiao, the incumbent town vice mayor, immediately rushed to the scene and assured medical and financial assistance to the injured passengers. As of press time, no one was heard expressing a desire to file charges against the driver. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)