The provincial government of Guimaras is making a bold move to transform healthcare in the island with the development of a P167 million state-of-the-art outpatient care center at the Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital (DCGNPH).
Officials broke ground on the four-story facility in Barangay San Miguel, Jordan, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s healthcare development on Thursday, January 23.
Governor JC Rahman Nava, in his statement, emphasized that the success of this project depends not only on upgrading infrastructure but also on ensuring that skilled healthcare professionals deliver quality care.
The center will offer an extensive range of services, including primary care, pharmacy, radiology, minor surgery, dialysis, ambulatory surgical clinics, and physical therapy. These improvements will enhance medical service efficiency and meet the growing healthcare needs of the community, the governor said.
Nava highlighted that while improving medical facilities is important, the dedication of the staff plays a critical role in achieving better patient outcomes.
The governor disclosed that the center’s funding comes from a combination of P90 million from the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), P20 million from Senator Pia Cayetano, and PHP57 million from the provincial government.
This new outpatient care center plays a key role in Guimaras’ broader plan to strengthen its healthcare system in preparation for the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
Officials expect the facility to be completed by the first semester of 2026.
Nava also mentioned that the provincial government is improving other critical healthcare facilities, including a P55 million upgrade to the Buenavista Emergency Hospital’s outpatient care facility and P30 million for enhancements to the Nueva Valencia District Hospital.
He pointed out that these investments align with the province’s long-term strategy to improve healthcare accessibility and service quality.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.