History of Bayambang Emergency Hospital

THE BAYAMBANG EMERGENCY HOSPITAL: An Achievement of the Local Administration

 

The Bayambang Emergency Hospital opened its door to the public on July 16, 1980. It is authorized to operate as a 25-bed capacity hospital. A government agency, it is under the control and supervision of the Ministry of Health and is sister agency of the Bayambang Rural Health Unit.

The hospital temporarily occupies the Municipal Hall Annex building, which is on loan to the hospital by the Bayambang Municipal government free of charge.

The establishment of the hospital is one of the major achievements of the local administration, headed by Mayor Jaime P. Junio. Its establishment is in line with the town development.

Commissioned to organize the hospital was a three-man team composed of Dr. Ernesto T. Mataban, Medical Specialist of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital and Medical Center, Mr. Restituto Basa, Administrative Assistant III of the Regional Health Office No. 1, and Mrs. Virginia S. Fernandez, Accounting Clerk, also of the RHO. The three took charge of the renovation of the Municipal Hall Annex building to suit the needs of the hospital, recruited the personnel, and started its operations.

Dr. Mataban, who served as Office-in-Charge up to October 31, 1980 took care of the management of medical services, Mr. Basa, who became the Administrative Officer of the hospital, handled the administrative services, while Mrs. Fernandez, who became the hospital Bookkeeper, controlled the funds of the agency.

The original personnel to man the hospital are the following: Dr. Nicolas O. Miguel, Resident Physician; Miss Myrna C. Fernandez, staff nurses, Miss Renilda Romero, Medical Technologist; Mrs. Viola C. Roy and Miss Norma Taghap, Nursing Attendants; Mr. Basa, Administrative Officer; Mrs. Fernandez, Bookkeeper; Daniel V. Vellidar, Cook-Driver; Role de Vera, Institutional Worker; Rita S. de Vera, Laundry Worker; and Alfredo C. Vallo, Security Guard.

Later, Mrs. Glory G. Tamondong was hired as casual nurse and Dominador S. Payomo came in as Clerk on contractual basis. 

After the brief term of Dr. Mataban, Dr. Norberto R. Felix, Jr., a surgeon, also of the PPHMC, took over as Office-in-Charge. He served the hospital for 45 days. On December 15, 1980, Dr. Amado M. Layog, Rural Health Physician of the Bayambang Rural Health Unit, was relieved of his duties of the RHU and assigned to head the hospital.

The establishment of Bayambang Emergency Hospital implements the policy of President Marcos to provide at least one government hospital for every congressional district of the country. It is allotment of the third congressional district of Pangasinan.

Only two towns of the third district, however, are within the catchment area of the hospital. These are Bayambang, itself, and Malasiqui. The other towns within its catchment area are Bautista and Alcala of the fourth district, and Basista and portions of Urbiztondo and Mangatarem of the second district.

Source: 1981 Bayambang Town Fiesta Souvenir Program (367th Anniversary)