An official of a custodial psychiatric care facility in Cagayan de Oro has expressed his dismay over the local government’s alleged failure to give the P3 million yearly funding.

Msgr. Eutiquiano Legitimas, co-founder of House of Hope Foundation Inc. (HOHFI), said they have yet to receive the fund promised by the city government since 2022.

Based on the memorandum of agreement (MOA), the local government vowed to give P3 million annual funding for the foundation.

“Naa og mag meeting mi naa na magsaad ra ba pero sa among last nga letter walay response sa among letter,” Legitimas said.

In 2023, personnel of the city-run JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) took over the management of the facility.

“Ang pasyente kung manawag sila sa nurse in the morning manawag silag nurse sa hapon na. So wala nana dinhi bag-o na lahi na so ingon ana ba murag kanang ga-adjust pud sila,” HOHFI Administrator, Sis. Nally Espiritu, said.

“Actually, before ang take-over ang cash flow is P9.7 million but after the takeover because of the expenses in December 2024 ang amoang cash balance is only P657,000,” HOHFI Direct Management Team Member, Wilson Amad, added.

Legitimas said they hope for a proper collaboration with the local government.

“Naningkamot ko nga maayo pa nga makabalik ang management and supervision with proper collaboration sa LGU,” Legitimas said.

In a statement, the city government denied allegations that the operation of the House of Hope has been paralyzed.

The city government said the full administrative, managerial, and operational functions have been placed under the JRBGH since 2023.

At least 36 personnel from JRBGH, including doctors, nurses, cook, among others, are taking care of the 53 patients.

The city government clarified that based on the MOA, it will give House of Hope P3 million as annual financial assistance for the ‘apostolic and missionary duties’ of the facility, especially for community reintegration and after-care program of the patients.

JRBGH Acting Chief of Hospital, Dr. Michael June Perez, said the city government already gave the P3 million assistance for 2021 last year and the assistance for 2022 is already prepared.

The delay was allegedly due to the liquidation of the House of Hope.

The city government continues to coordinate with the officials of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and HOHFI to address the needs of the facility.