DAVAO Davao City — The Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed the establishment of the Mindanao Cancer Center (MCC) in the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Acording to Dr. Romulo Busuego, DRH chief of hospital, the project is estimated to cost almost 500 million pesos and will provide comprehensive treatment and management services for cancer patients in Davao Region and Mindanao.
Health department regional director Teozones Baluma said that the establishment of the cancer center will bring to four the number of major Mindanao health service centers based in Davao region. The Davao Medical Center in Davao City also operates the Mindanao Heart Center, the Mindanao Burn Unit and the Mindanao Kidney Center.
Mr. Vicente T. Lao, RDC regional chairperson, said that they have endorsed the project because it directly supports the region’s priorities for human development and poverty alleviation. He said that the project will address the rising incidence of cancer which is now one of the leading causes of death not only in Davao Region and Mindanao but in the entire country.
Lao added that the establishment of the center in the region reduces the financial burden to the cancer patients and their families, especially the poor, since they would no longer have to go to Manila or Cebu for diagnosis and treatment.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Maria Lourdes D. Lim, who is also the RDC vice-chairperson, announced that the project is supported by LGU officials, national government agencies and representatives of the private sector in the region.
Lim added that the Provincial Development Council of Davao del Norte has passed a resolution endorsing the project. The project will now be submitted for evaluation at the national level and for funding support from foreign donors. (NEDA-RDC/PIA XI)
cancer, cancer center, neda, tagum city
