BAGUIO General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) management has denied a city council request to grant temporary clearances for business owners inside the BGHMC reservation.
BGHMC Medical Center Chief II Ricardo Runez said that the management will not change their stance regarding the so-called “informal settlers” in their area, saying that providing clearances will also provide the settlers “false hopes” regarding their stay in the reservation.
“We suggest that instead of dwelling on issues that are non-negotiable, may we avert your attention to the proposal of the relocation of the affected individuals, if necessary. We assure you that you have our full support,” Runez wrote.
Business owners in Camp 8 along Kennon Road in the area first sought the help of the city council when their business permits were withheld following the BGHMC’s refusal to provide clearances.
The areas in question are under the BGHMC’s territory under Proclamation 472, s. 1968.
BGHMC is currently keen on reclaiming the portions of the reservation for its use as it is expanding its facilities under a development plan.
The said development plan includes the construction of additional structures to accommodate the sub-specialty centers, isolation wards, laboratory building, kidney center, materials recovery facility, medical records building, multi-specialty building to house the heart center, brain center, and operating rooms, and trauma center.
