Capitol allocates P650 million to upgrade hospitals

Local

MORE Hospitals in the province are about to get a major facelift.

The Cebu provincial government has set aside P650 million this year for infrastructure upgrades in provincial and district hospitals, part of efforts to strengthen what Capitol officials describe as a fragile healthcare system.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro earmarked the amount to upgrade infirmaries into Level 1 facilities and Level 1 hospitals into Level 2.

Dr. Elisse Nicole “Nikki” Catalan, the governor’s daughter and Capitol’s public health consultant, said the allocation fulfills Baricuatro’s promise to make healthcare a priority.

The province currently operates 16 hospitals—10 infirmaries, four Level 1 hospitals, and two Level 2 hospitals.

“We need to rebuild and regain the trust of the people by ensuring dili sila mamatay inig abot sa atong mga provincial hospitals,” Catalan said.

Hospital improvements are expected to begin in October. Catalan admitted, however, that reforms cannot happen overnight and acknowledged gaps in staffing, facilities, and equipment.

To address these, the Capitol has hired more than 200 health personnel, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, for deployment to hospitals and facilities across the province.

Flexible schedules for doctors, round-the-clock shifts for medical technologists, and incentives for job order staff have also been introduced.

Nearly P100 million was released last week for the September operating expenses of all provincial hospitals.

In addition, the Capitol has spent over P48 million on medical and surgical missions in partnership with private hospitals, doctors, and volunteers.

Officials described these as temporary stop-gap measures while long-term upgrades continue.

Catalan said seeing patients recover quickly after surgeries has been rewarding but stressed that challenges remain.

“Sometimes makahilak ko,” she said, noting that support from private doctors and volunteers has been crucial.

The governor has also reactivated and expanded the Provincial Health Board, announced plans to launch a mental health hotline with the Department of Health, and institutionalized Health and Dental Days to provide routine services in communities.

Capitol officials clarified that although the proposed annual budget for next year will be lower, health services remain a top priority in 2026.(MyTVCebu)