The director of the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center welcomed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s pledge that a 10-story, PHP3.5 billion hospital building in Albay will be completed by 2027 or early 2028.

Dr. Eric Raymond Raborar said Friday the project, part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s legacy hospital initiative, will add 800 beds and specialty services currently lacking in the region.

“It’s great that he (Dizon) came to visit. It’s their project, and we’ll be the ones receiving it. The good thing is that they’ve given their word to ensure it will be completed quickly so we can use it immediately,” Raborar said.

He said the new facility would provide advanced care for cancer, cardiovascular disease, trauma, and kidney transplants, among other specialties, so patients need not travel to Manila.

Dizon inspected the site this week, noting that construction, which began in 2023, is 36 percent complete, behind the expected 50 percent.

He assured the building would be finished as planned. (PNA)