By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA)---Very soon, Dipolog City will have one of the most modern hospitals in the country as the Allied Care Experts (ACE) Group of Hospitals is set to build an ACE Medical Center here.
This dream became a reality after the successful conduct of the ground-breaking ceremonies of the ACE Medical Center-Dipolog on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Barangay Olingan.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of the architectural design of the hospital, the time capsule was buried with the releasing of colorful balloons, which according to the organizer represents grace from heaven.
ACE Chairman Dr. Amado Enriquez said the 4-storey ACE Medical Center will be constructed in a 1.7 hectare lot inside Dipolog City Sports Complex which will be funded through the P500-million loan granted by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).
The hospital, which has a 200-bed capacity is a tertiary hospital, equipped with brand new and modern first-class hospital equipment.
“ACE Medical Center-Dipolog is the fifth hospital to be built inMindanao. The other hospitals are in Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and General Santos,” Enriquez said.
Vice Mayor Dr. Horacio Velasco welcomed the decision of ACE Medical Center to establish a modern hospital in Dipolog as it complements the effort of the city government to addressthe health needs of local residents.
”We will not consider (Ace Medical Center) a competition but an ally in providing medical services to the people,” he said.
ACE Medical Center-Dipolog President Dr. Fernando Carlos said the establishment of a modern hospital does not only address the health concerns of the Dipolognons but also provide employment for local residents and enhance economic development in the area.
The hospital will be exclusively owned and managed by private doctors from Dipolog City and other parts of Zamboanga del Norte.
