The Negros Occidental provincial government unveiled here Wednesday the supply chain warehouse of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), a development that strengthens storage management and distribution of health commodities in the province.

The facility serves as a central hub for the safe storage, inventory control, and efficient distribution of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies to health facilities and provincial government-run hospitals in various local government units.

Equipped with a cold chain storage system, the warehouse is located along Gatuslao St., adjacent to the Provincial Capitol Building.

In his message, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the establishment of the supply chain management warehouse reflects foresight and responsibility and a proactive response to one of the most critical aspects of healthcare delivery.

“We are ensuring the continuous availability and accessibility of medical commodities, in strong support of the implementation of Universal Health Care in the province,” he added.

Through the establishment of the supply chain management warehouse, the province aims to ensure uninterrupted health services, adherence to proper quality standards, and rapid response, especially during public health emergencies.

“By improving storage, inventory monitoring, and distribution processes, we reduce shortages, prevent wastage, and enhance reliability throughout our health care network,” the governor said.

Lacson acknowledged the support of the Department of Health (DOH), which was represented by Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral and Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Razel Nikka Hao, for their continued trust and collaboration in making the project possible.

Hao said the DOH-NIR has long been looking to Negros Occidental “for good practice especially in systems work and implementation”.

“The investment in this warehouse is not just an infrastructure decision, but a governance choice consistent with that high standard. This facility matters because it introduces order and clarity into the supply chain process for local governments and district hospitals,” she added.

Hao said they will use the discipline and practices strengthened in Negros Occidental “as the reference point for how supply chain systems are run across our future regional warehouse and the whole region”.

“This is how we move forward. The province leads in managing this warehouse. The region commits to using it properly as part of a regional supply chain system-linked to planning, allocation, and delivery,” the DOH-NIR chief said. (PNA)