New horizon sets for the healthcare services in the Cagayan Valley Region, particularly in the Province of Isabela, as a tripartite venture between the Isabela State University (ISU), Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC), and the Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI) brews for the establishment of a Health Center specializing on Cancer treatment.
The promising dialogue ensued after the partner institutions signed a Usufruct Agreement on Friday (December 22), allocating land portions of the University at Echague, Isabela for an extension of the SIMC.
Said extension facility would be dedicating its capacity in the study and cure of cancer.
Present during the Usufruct Agreement signing were Isabela Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, 6th Legislative District of Isabela Representative Congressman Faustino “Inno” A. Dy V, SIMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Melchor C. Dela Cruz, and ISU President Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino.
Congressman Inno Dy expressed his staunch support to the venture in propelling the vision of the national government under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. for the Specialty Center Act.
The Act is part of the administration’s efforts to establish and institutionalize healthcare centers in the regions, ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare services for all.
“Alam nyo po nung binigay ni President Marcos and kanyang State of the Nation Address at sinabi niya po na priority ang Specialty Center Act, ay talagang masayang-masaya po lahat ng mga taga probinsya lalo na dito sa Norte. So, with the Regional’s Specialty Center Act, magkakaroon na po tayo ng iba’t-ibang uri ng specialty center, at iyon nga po ‘yung cancer institute na dito na gagawin”, Congressman Dy remarked.
The Congressman highlighted that the center could also bring other specialized health services from Metro Manila closer to Isabela and the neighboring provinces of the region.
“Ang pangunahing problema ng ating mga kababayan dito- ay iyong nagkakaroon ng sakit, lalong-lalo na yung mga cases ng heart surgery, kidney or lung problems: ay kailangan pa po pumunta sa Manila o Baguio para lang po ipagamot ang ating mga kababayan”, Dy explained.
The congressman then lauded the efforts of the University, saying: “this would not be possible, without the commitment of ISU by offering their land for SIMC to use. Pres. Ricmar (ISU President), you have always been a visionary, in helping us in your collaborating with other partners and all other agency, to make things work and to make things happen.”
Cementing the legislative district’s support, Dy told: “I guess I can speak in behalf of my dad, Vice Gov. Bojie, so that the local government can help and assist to make this project happen. Kung ano po yung supporta na kailangan naming gawin, kung meron pa po na kailangan na infrastructure, kung kakailangan para po matuloy to, huwag lang po tayo mahiya na magsabi sa ating local government”.
For Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, the ISU President, the venture would reinforce the offering of ISU’s Doctor of Medicine Program and the College of Medicine in the conduct of academic research and curriculum enhancement.
As part of the major thrusts of the University, Dr. Aquino dedicated its academic resources in support of the operations of the center.
Meanwhile, SIMC’s Chief Dr. Dela Cruz noted on the hospital’s competency as an accredited health center of the Department of Health, looking forward to the promising contribution of the current batch of ISU medical students in reinforcing its growing stature.
“Sana itong mga estudyante natin, sila ang ating pioneer batch para sa center natin. I’m very confident na matutupad itong pangarap na ito”, Dr. Dela Cruz remarked.