A PHP100-million community hospital that will soon rise along the Plaridel Bypass Road in this town is expected to boost the delivery of health care services to residents of the province.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday led by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Representative Tina Pacho, Bustos Mayor Francis Albert Juan, and other town officials to mark the start of the construction of the 100-bed health facility.

Dr. Rowena Ocmer, medical director of Bustos Community Hospital, said on Tuesday that the administration of the new hospital which is expected to be completed by 2025 will remain under the municipal government.

“When the entire project is completed, its old building in the town will become another large rural health unit,” Ocmer said in an interview.

She said the first floor which will initially have 25 beds is targeted for completion in 2023.

“It is estimated that the three floors with a capacity of 100 beds will be completed in 2025,” Ocmer said.

Evelyn Paulino, director of the Department of Health-Bulacan field office, said their agency will provide technical assistance to the Bustos municipal government to be able to obtain a license to operate.

Juan said the municipal government has allocated PHP17 million for the purchase of the 5,000-square meter site of the new community hospital. (PNA)