THE Roman Catholic archdiocese here and government have united in advancing the welfare and care for mentally ill people in the city which have been formalized with an agreement signed on Monday.
The city government, along with other government agencies, entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma represented the archdiocese and former El Salvador mayor Amelita Almirante represented the Escaño Estate during the signing of the agreement on Monday afternoon.
The agreement binds city hall, church, and other national government agencies of the growing need to improve and upgrade the mental health facilities like House of Hope.
Under the agreement, another donation of an adjoining parcel of land with an area of 4,733 square meters owned by the Escaño family which would be donated to the city government and would likewise donate the property to the House of Hope facilities.
For its part, DOH-10 would facilitate the implementation of infrastructure projects for the upgrading and enhancement of the services of the House of Hope.
The city government would renew its commitment to help DOH-10 in the implementation of infrastructure projects as well as providing financial support for the operational needs of the House of Hope.
The NMMC, under the agreement, would provide support services pertaining to health such as management of acute mental health crisis and other referred medical cases of different levels of care.
The cityun hospital would provide allied support services for the House of Hope.
Department of Health regional director Nimfa Torrizo, Northern Mindanao Medical Center chief Dr. Jose Chan, and JR Borja General Hospital chief Dr. Ramon Nery were present during the signing ceremony.
The city council, led by Vice Mayor Rainier Joaquin Uy, witnessed the signing ceremony.
Mayor Oscar Moreno said his administration considers health and hospital service as crucial components under his eight-point agenda and looks forward to partnering with other stakeholders in the city like the Church.
He also considered the assured help from other national government agencies like the DOH-10 who had the promotion of health programs together with the local government units before.
“Director Torrizo assured us that she would give infrastructure projects by next year after the MOA signing. Kita for operation purposes and other possible programs related to mental health,” he said. (Lito Rulona with Joey Nacalaban)
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